Author: K. E. O'Connor
Date: 2020-06-30 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Paranormal; cozy British mystery; Cozy ghost mystery; cozy humor; cozy murder; Cozy mystery with animals; Ghost murder mystery
Description: A house full of secrets. Two restless ghosts. A mystery to solve. Lorna Shadow starts a new job under the frosty glare of her old-fashioned employer, Lady Camilla. Having to fight off the unwanted attentions of a sleazy handyman and a spoiled son might be bad enough, but then two ghosts appear, and Lorna has their murders to solve. Helped by best friend Helen, who gets a taste of love (but not for long) and her furry best friend, Flipper, Lorna needs to help the ghosts and keep her demanding employer content. Lorna is also faced with a personal dilemma with Zach. Can she keep him and the ghost

Ghostly Affairs

Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery, Volume 4

K.E. O'Connor

Published by K.E. O'Connor, 2017.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

GHOSTLY AFFAIRS

First edition. May 21, 2017.

Copyright © 2017 K.E. O'Connor.

Written by K.E. O'Connor.

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 1

“Lady Camilla Reynold is quite exacting,” said the chirpy voice of the recruitment consultant, Josie. “She has high standards and expectations when it comes to staff members.”

I winked at Helen who sat on the other side of the lounge from me. “Our standards are also high. Lady Camilla won’t be disappointed by hiring us.”

Josie laughed. “That’s good to know. But I should warn you, she has fired every single one of her personal assistants.”

I scratched the end of my nose, my gaze drifting around our cream-colored lounge with its comfy sofas and suntrap just for Flipper. Maybe this job wouldn’t be such a good idea after all, but apartments don’t pay for themselves.

“Are you still there?” Josie’s tone sounded anxious. “Lady Camilla is lovely when you get to know her.”

“She sounds like a difficult client,” I said. “Do you have anything else?”

“Good jobs like this don’t come up often, and the job market is quiet right now,” said Josie. “This is a great position, and the pay is excellent. And when you get on the right side of Lady Camilla, you’ll be richly rewarded. She just takes a little warming up.”

I chewed on a thumbnail. Helen and I did need to find jobs. “Can you tell me a bit more?”

“Of course! Have you heard of Reynold Estate?”

I nodded. “It’s the largest private estate in Suffolk, isn’t it?”

“That’s right,” said Josie.

Helen leaned over and tapped me on the back of the hand. “Ask about the living quarters and if we get meals provided?”

I grinned and waved her away, Helen always needed a comfortable bed with a soft mattress or she had trouble sleeping, and as for food, Helen liked plenty of that. “Can you tell me more about the house itself?”

“Lady Camilla is a private person, so you won’t be able to use her private kitchen and bathrooms, but you’ll be provided with your own downstairs accommodation, with full access to a large servants’ kitchen. You’ll have your own private wash facilities, and free use of the grounds when Lady Camilla isn’t using them.”

That sounded decent enough. In my time as a personal assistant, I’d lived in all manner of different accommodation, from cozy cottages through to enormous, sprawling private estates that came with a separate staff cottage.

“Anything else I can tell you?” asked Josie.

Helen leaned over again. “The food, ask about the food.”

I grinned at her. “Is there a cook in residence?”

“Only for her Ladyship,” said Josie. “But your kitchen is well provisioned.”

I covered the mouthpiece. “They want us to provide our own meals.”

Helen tugged on her bottom lip. “I don’t mind doing the cooking. At least we’ll have decent food.”

“Lady Camilla is keen on you starting as soon as possible,” said Josie. “Will that be possible, if you’re still interested?”

“That’s fine with us,” I said. “We’ve recently left our last positions, so are free to start whenever she wishes us to.”

“If you can get there by the end of today, I know she’ll appreciate it,” said Josie, giving a relieved sounding sigh.

“That won’t be a problem,” I said. “Tell Lady Camilla to expect us this afternoon. I keep a bag ready for any last minute jobs, and it won’t take Helen long to get ready. Flipper only needs his treats and a clean dog bowl, and he’s all set as well.”

“Oh, your dog,” said Josie. “I hope Lady Camilla doesn’t mind him.”

“You know he’s a part of the deal,” I said. “Flipper goes everywhere with me.”

“I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” said Josie swiftly. “Lady Camilla probably loves dogs.”

I didn’t like the word probably in that sentence, but said goodbye to Josie and hung up the phone.

“Sounds like we got the jobs.” Helen pushed her blonde hair back from her face and grinned at me.

“Yes, and Lady Camilla wants us to start immediately.”

Helen stretched her arms over her head. “It’s been nice having time off work, but I’ve missed the money.”

“Me too.” I glanced around our open-plan apartment again. It was on the outskirts of Oxford and was the perfect bolt-hole for when we didn’t have a job to go to. We weren’t there often, but it was nice to come back here and take a break.

“And we haven’t worked in a big house for a while, so this should be fun,” said Helen.

“I enjoyed our six months with the Bellamys, but I’m ready for a new challenge,” I said. Our last job, working for Chris and Jasmine Bellamy, ended a month ago after we’d gotten rid of the ghosts that lingered in the house, done all the paperwork, and helped the family move on from the grief they experienced after losing their children.

“And what about Zach?” asked Helen. “No gardening position for him this time?”

“He’s doing a freelance job not far from where we’ll be based,” I said. “Only half-an-hour’s drive away, so I’ll still be able to see him. And Jessie and Flipper won’t be apart for long.”

“It’s important the dogs don’t miss each other too much.” Helen winked at me, and then looked over to where Flipper was stirring from one of his long sleeps on the rug.

I smiled, not minding her teasing. Zach was now my steady boyfriend and we’d been seeing each other for a year. He worked as a gardener on private estates, and we were occasionally fortunate enough to get jobs together, but not this time. I didn’t like the thought of him being far away, but he’d been offered an amazing opportunity, to plan a brand-new estate garden. It was a dream for him. His passion was always gardening, and now he had a chance to create something from nothing and see it flourish. He was going to love his new job.

“And now he’s sold his house,” said Helen, “he’s foot loose and fancy-free in terms of where he lives. Do you think he’s going to ask you to get a place together?”

“We’ve not talked about it,” I said. “And it seems a waste of money, buying a place we’ll barely use when we already have this apartment.”

“You could move him in here.” Helen tapped a finger on her chin as she looked around the room. “We’d need an extra chair and a dog bed for Jessie, but they should just about squeeze that all in. And I’m assuming you’ll share a bedroom.” She waggled her eyebrows at me.

“I don’t think that would be fair,” I said. “Especially not for you.”

“I’m used to being the third wheel in your relationship.” Helen grinned at me. “Consider it, though, it could be a good solution.”

“You’d be happy with Zach moving in here?” I was uncertain how I felt about having Zach here. It had been just Helen, me, and Flipper for such a long time. And as much as I loved Zach, I wasn’t sure I wanted to break up what I already had.

“Oh, you never know, I might find my own Prince Charming in Suffolk,” said Helen. “He will buy me a mansion and I can move in with him. Then you and Zach can have this place for yourselves.”

Helen’s hunt for a well-to-do husband had been going on for years. And although she’d had a number of dates with nice guys, they never went anywhere. “You never know, Suffolk might be rolling in single millionaires with huge houses who will fall in love with your long blonde hair and big smile the instant they see you.”

“I’d be happy if they did,” said Helen. “I’m getting sick of the single life. Dating is not what it used to be. I tried a phone app recently and had three offers to meet up.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“One offer was to meet in a car park, in the backseat of some weirdo’s car, the next was to meet in a back alley behind a horrible sounding bar, and the final one was so disgusting I’m not even going to tell you. But it involved baby oil and a cucumber. I deleted the app after that request.”

I stifled a laugh. “Well, there’s only one way to find out if your Mr. Perfect is waiting for us.” I jumped up from my seat. “Time for us to get to work.”

An hour later, the three of us were settled in Helen’s smart red car. She keyed in the directions on the satnav and we headed off for our new adventure.

I slid the window down and let the warm summer breeze drift through the car. I was hopeful this job would be a good one, and long term, despite the warning about Lady Camilla’s exacting standards. I’d handled old-fashioned gentry before, so couldn’t imagine she’d be a problem, but I’d make sure to be on my best behavior.

And I’d also be sure to keep out of the way of any ghosts. They were my downfall when it came to work. My ghost-seeing ability came to me after an accident I’d had. I’d almost drowned, and ever since then, I’d seen ghosts. It led to some difficult situations, with them demanding my help, and me not being able to hear them. I never knew how to assist them or what they wanted. But I’d muddled my way through so far.

And, over the years, I’ve gotten used to seeing ghosts. And Helen, the best and most loyal friend a woman could want, always helped out. Even though she couldn’t see the ghosts, she trusted me that they were real, and would insist we assisted them whenever we could.

And I had Flipper as well, who was not only my most faithful friend with four legs, but was also my early warning detection system when it came to ghosts. Whenever they came near, he would be at my side in an instant, making sure I was okay, and keeping me safe.

But this time around, there would be no ghosts. I closed my eyes and sent that hope into the ether. Please, no ghosts this time. Stuffy, uptight employers I could handle, but no ghosts.

Chapter 2

“This looks like the place.” Helen slowed the car, and we peered at a set of imposing metal gates, closed across a wide gravel driveway.

I pulled up some pictures on my phone and scanned through them. “Yes, this is it. Maybe they didn’t think we’d be here so early, which is why the gates are shut.”

Helen jumped out and inspected the gates. “I can’t see any way to get them open.”

I got out and joined her, taking a moment to stretch my legs and enjoy the afternoon sunshine which bathed me in a warm comforting glow. I pushed and pulled the gates for several minutes, but they wouldn’t budge.

“How are we going to get in?” asked Helen. She looked down at her black, floral-patterned dress and kitten heels. “I’m not wearing the right clothes to go scaling the walls.”

I jumped as a hissing crackle sounded to my left.

“Who’s there?” came a tinny-sounding male voice from within the shrubbery.

“The intercom’s covered over.” I hurried towards the sound, and parted the ivy covering the intercom before pressing the button. “We’re here to see Lady Camilla. I’m Lorna Shadow and I’m here with Helen Holiday.”

“What is your business with her Ladyship?” asked the posh, clipped voice.

“We’re here to start new jobs.”

There was silence for a moment, and I was just about to press the button again to ask if they’d heard my last message, when the gates creaked open.

“Looks like we’ve passed the first test,” said Helen, as she clambered back in the car.

I joined her, and we drove slowly along a neat gravel driveway. Evergreen shrubs lined the way and a number of well-established Silver Birch leaned over the driveway, creating an attractive tree-lined tunnel.

The driveway curved gently to the left and swept around in front of an impressive two-story building, with ivy curling around the doorway. Eight windows stared back at us from the first floor, and there was a side extension to the right of the property. The brick had a warm red hue, and flower beds sat tidily under each window, showing off bright plumes of yellow and orange flowers.

Flipper jumped up from his deep sleep on the backseat of the car as Helen slowed down by a row of garages, and began to whine.

“You can get out in a moment and do any business you need to,” I said to him. “But make sure you’re discreet. We’re not sure what Lady Camilla thinks of dogs.”

“She’ll love him,” said Helen. “Everybody loves Flipper.”

Flipper continued to whine, so as soon as Helen stopped the car, I jumped out and opened the back door, expecting him to rush to the nearest bush. Instead, he simply hopped out and stood there, his ears erect and nose pointed towards the garages.

“You can go and explore if you want to, but keep where I can see you. Don’t want you giving anybody a surprise if they’re not expecting to see a dog on the grounds,” I said to him.

Flipper took several steps back, a low growl rumbling through his chest.

I knelt and stroked Flipper’s back, feeling his hackles were up. “He’s usually excited to discover his new home.”

“You don’t think he’s... seeing anything, do you?” asked Helen, casting a worried look at the house. “Could be an unpleasant ghost if he’s already sensing something’s here.”

“I’m not sensing anything,” I said, as I glanced around the gardens. “But Flipper’s acting strangely.”

Flipper gave several loud barks and I shushed him, not wanting us to make a bad impression on our first day.

“What have we got here?” A chubby man in his mid-twenties, wearing a too small waistcoat over his white shirt, rounded the side of the house. His dark piggy eyes glittered at us. “If you’re selling something, we’re not interested.” A rifle hung over his right arm.

“We’re not selling anything,” said Helen. “We’re starting work here.”

The man’s beady gaze ran over Helen, lingering on her chest far too long. “You don’t say.”

“I do, actually.” Helen crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “And who are you?”

“I live here,” he said. “I’m Ranulph Reynold. I guess that means I’m your employer.”

“You’re Lady Camilla’s son?” I asked.

“That’s right,” he said. “I knew she was looking for new staff. The last girl ran away in a flood of tears, silly thing. Couldn’t handle being told off by Mommy.”

“Well, we won’t be running off in tears,” said Helen. “We’re professionals.”

“Good luck with that,” said Ranulph. “As much as I love Mommy, she’s tough with the servants.”

“We’re staff, not servants,” snapped Helen.

Ranulph shrugged and his gaze went down to Flipper, who was still staring at the garages. “Is this one yours?”

“That’s right,” I said. “He’s my assistance dog. He comes everywhere with me.”

Ranulph raised his gaze to meet mine. “And what does he assist you with?”

“Getting rid of problems,” said Helen.

I shot her a warning look. It was never good to annoy your employer on the first day of work. “I have a medical condition, and he makes sure I’m always safe.”

“Mommy won’t like to know that,” said Ranulph, his nose wrinkling as if I’ve said something to offend him. “She likes her servants strong and healthy. Does she know you have a disability?”

“I didn’t say I had a disability.” I glowered at Ranulph. I was hardly going to tell him I could see ghosts.

Ranulph shrugged and adjusted his hold on the rifle. “Make sure you keep your dog under control. I have a licence to shoot.”

I took a step towards Ranulph, suddenly not caring he was Lady Camilla’s son. “Don’t even think about shooting Flipper.”

“It’s my estate, I can shoot whoever and whatever I like on it.”

“You point that gun at my dog and you’ll regret it.” My hands balled into fists.

Ranulph snorted. “You should be careful what you say, I pay your wages.”

“You don’t, your mom does,” said Helen. “This isn’t even your estate. And don’t you think you’re a little too old to be living at home?”

I silently cheered Helen on. Anyone who threatened Flipper instantly became an enemy of both of ours.

Ranulph’s cheeks reddened and his lips flapped together. “I should have you both removed this instant. I’ve never heard such rudeness from servants before.”

“What are you going to do about it?” asked Helen. “Tell your mommy we were mean to you?”

Ranulph opened and shut his mouth several times. “I will not be spoken to like that. I am the master of this estate.”

“You will be one day,” I said. “But until you are, we work for Lady Camilla, not you. And if she says it’s okay for my dog to be here, then Flipper stays. If you have a problem with that, you need to speak to your mommy.”

Ranulph huffed a few times, his plump cheeks expanding and deflating like a warty toad. “I’ve never heard such rudeness.” He clicked the barrel of his gun into place and pointed it at Flipper.

“I expect you have,” said Helen, ignoring the gun. “But most people probably don’t say it to your face.”

I shot in front of Flipper and blocked Ranulph’s way. “You’d better back off right now!”

“Or what?” sneered Ranulph. “I’m the one holding the gun. Perhaps you should be nicer to me.”

“You need to point a gun at people for them to be nice to you?” asked Helen.

Ranulph grunted. “Of course not. But it seems you two need some training.” He narrowed his eyes and raised his gun.

“Hello! What’s going on here?” A tall, slender man, dressed in grey chinos and a matching jacket, strode along the driveway. “Having some trouble, Ranulph?”

“You could say that.” Ranulph lowered the rifle a fraction, and his gaze shot towards the man. “These women claim they’re starting work here. But then they started hurling abuse at me. I should have them arrested for trespassing.”

“Only because you threatened Flipper.” Helen jabbed a finger at Ranulph.

“Ah, now, easy old boy.” The man reached up and pushed the gun barrel lower until it pointed at the ground. “Don’t want anybody getting hurt.”

“They were being disrespectful,” said Ranulph, his sharp gaze on Helen. “It’s important to teach servants a lesson.”

“Quite right, but maybe a gun on their first day is a bit much.” The newcomer looked over at me and Helen. “I’m Henry Danvers. I’m a regular visitor here.”

“Nice to meet you, Henry.” I shook his outstretched hand, and so did Helen, but I made sure to keep my attention fixed on Ranulph as I did so, just in case he decided to raise his gun barrel again.

“And you say you’re starting work here?” Henry gave us a lopsided smile and pushed his blond hair out of his eyes.

“Lady Camilla has employed me as her personal assistant,” I said. “And Helen is going to be her seamstress.”

“Jolly good,” said Henry. “It’s nice for the old girl to have some company. She tends to keep herself rather secluded in this big old pile of hers.”

“It’s a lovely estate,” said Helen. “Do you live nearby?”

“We’re neighbors,” said Henry. “I come here most days. I’m rather fond of the old girl and like to make sure she gets the chance for a chat. Since her husband died ten years ago, she’s been rather on her own.”

“I’m always here,” said Ranulph. “I don’t know why you’d say that. Mommy is fine with my company.”

“Of course you’re here,” said Henry, as he slapped Ranulph on the back. “And you do a wonderful job. But you have a life of your own. Can’t expect you to be looking after your mother the whole time. Plenty of lovely young ladies for you to entertain. You’re always fighting them off from what I can see.”

I struggled not to laugh. I couldn’t see anyone believing Ranulph would be a catch.

Ranulph dropped the gun over his arm and gave a shrug. “Well, yes, I do go out sometimes, and there are always lots of pretty girls to enjoy.”

“And I live on my own, so the company is good for me as well,” said Henry.

“You’re not married?” Helen’s blue eyes gleamed with interest.

“Not yet,” said Henry. “Not met the right girl who shares the same passions as me. I’ll get around to it one day, though.” He grinned at Helen.

“We should get inside,” I said, eager to get away from Ranulph and his gun. “Make sure Lady Camilla knows we’re here.”

“She will,” said Ranulph. “If you rang the bell at the entrance gate, she’ll have been informed of your arrival. Our butler, Manfred, would have told her.”

After giving Ranulph another sharp glare, and saying a quick goodbye to Henry, we headed to the front door.

“Allow me to take you,” said Henry, as he caught up with us. “Camilla can be a little... frosty the first time she meets new people. But she’s always good to me, and I know good company when I see it, so I’m sure she’ll love the two of you.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” I said. I was happy for anything that would make our introduction to our new jobs easier.

Henry pushed open the door and strode through without knocking.

A moment later, a tall thin man, with slicked-back hair, dressed in a butler’s uniform, arrived. “Sir Henry. Are you expected?”

“Good afternoon, Manfred. No, just wanted to drop in and see Camilla,” said Henry. “But I met these two lovely young ladies outside, and I believe her Ladyship is expecting them.”

Manfred bowed before giving me and Helen a cursory inspection. “Indeed. Follow me.”

“I’ll take them,” said Henry.

“I must announce guests in the proper manner,” said Manfred.

“You’ve known me for long enough,” said Henry, as he gave Manfred a warm smile. “Camilla won’t mind if I do your job for you. Just on this one occasion.”

Manfred bowed low again, and took several steps back. “As you wish, sir.”

“And less of the sir,” said Henry. “You know my name, and I’m happy for you to use it.”

“Very good, sir.” Manfred stepped to one side and gestured along the wood-paneled hallway lined with paintings of stern-faced people.

I looked at the paintings as we walked, and figured they were most likely ancestors of Lady Camilla’s. The frames were dark gold in color, and pale, cold blue eyes stared at us as we made our way towards our new employer. The floor in the hallway was covered in a thick, green carpet, and several pieces of antique, dark wooden furniture lined the wide hallway, giving it an oppressive atmosphere as if the walls were slowly sliding towards me.

“Right this way,” said Henry, as he strode ahead. “Camilla usually sits in the sunroom on a lovely day like this. You get the sun for most of the day on the back of the house, and she does enjoy the gardens.”

Helen raised her eyebrows at me and smiled as we continued to follow Henry. I noticed she’d barely taken her gaze off Henry since he’d arrived. And he was just her type, smartly dressed, with a posh voice, and clearly had money, if the expensive looking wristwatch he wore and designer loafers where anything to go by.

Henry knocked on a closed door, and grinned at us. “Are you decent?”

“You may enter,” said a crisp female voice.

Henry smiled, before pushing the door open. Inside was an orangery with a tinted glass roof and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There was a table in one corner, and sitting by one of the open doors, was a short, slender woman of about sixty, dressed head to toe in cream silk.

“Your Ladyship.” Henry hurried over and kissed the back of the hand Lady Camilla presented him with.

“What are you doing here, you rogue?” she asked him. “I did not expect a visit today.”

“I was out for a walk, viewing my own gardens and thought, since it was so lovely, I’d keep on going. And I ended up here,” said Henry. “And, as luck would have it, I met some new people. Your new employees, I believe.”

Lady Camilla’s pale blue gaze shifted to us and the skin around her eyes tightened. “Ah, yes. I expected you both an hour ago.”

“Well, they’re here now,” said Henry. “And they look like ideal candidates to me.”

Lady Camilla gave a curt nod. “Which one is which?”

“I’m Lorna Shadow.” I stepped forward and then gestured to Helen. “And this is Helen Holiday.”

“I’m more interested in you.” Lady Camilla pointed a bony finger at me. “Miss Holiday does not need to be visible. She will be working below stairs for the majority of the time.”

I heard a tiny squeak escape from Helen’s mouth, but when I looked at her, her lips were pressed together.

“As you wish,” said Helen, as she took a step back.

“Tell me about your experience?” Lady Camilla asked me. “But keep it brief, I do not wish to know your hobbies or if you like reading romance novels.”

I cleared my throat. “I’ve worked across Europe for numerous families in the capacity of a personal assistant.”

“Give me their names.”

“The De’Veres, the Bellamys, the Asquiths—”

“You know Hillard Asquith?” asked Lady Camilla.

“I do,” I said. “I worked for him and his family for a year.”

“I am friends with Hillard,” said Lady Camilla. “I shall speak to him about you.”

“You’d be welcome to,” I said. “He was happy with my work.”

“Let me be the judge of that,” said Lady Camilla. “So you have experience. Are you discreet? I do not expect you to go gossiping about your activities here in the village. People do not need to know about my private affairs.”

“Of course.”

Lady Camilla gestured to a pile of papers on the table next to her. “As you can see, I have allowed my paperwork to become disordered. There is plenty more in my study as well. I blame the previous girl for the mess. She was forever running from the room in floods of tears. I was concerned she was with child because her hormones were so unstable. I had to dismiss her in the end.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

“You shouldn’t be, it means you now have a job. And, I trust I don’t have to worry about you suddenly getting yourself pregnant, do I?” Lady Camilla stared at my flat stomach as if expecting it to inflate with a baby.

I blinked at Lady Camilla. “No.”

“And there are to be no men,” said Lady Camilla.

“What do you mean?” asked Helen.

Lady Camilla shot her a cold stare, as if angry that she’d dared to speak. “I mean, you are not entertaining gentlemen on these premises. This is a place of work, not fornication.”

My mouth opened and closed several times. “We can’t have any visitors?”

“You can have visitors in the daytime,” said Lady Camilla. “But only when you aren’t working. I do not want you to have any distractions from your duties. And there are to be absolutely no visitors staying overnight. Male or female. We are not a guesthouse, we do not accommodate the homeless.”

I glanced at Helen. “Understood.” I would have to figure out a way of sneaking off to see Zach, though. I wasn’t giving up on our date nights just because of Lady Camilla’s old-fashioned rules when it came to men.

“Your duties are straightforward enough,” said Lady Camilla. “I will expect you to begin work at seven in the morning. You have one day a week off, usually a Sunday, when I’m at church. But I expect you to be flexible as to when I need you. You are to take your meals in the downstairs kitchen, which will be shown to you, and, as I’m sure you have been told, you can use the grounds, but not when I am on them. And there are areas you are not permitted to go into. I like to have some private space of my own.”

I nodded. “We were told about the gardens before we took the jobs,” I said. “There looks like there’s plenty to go around. I’m sure we won’t get in each other’s way.”

“The estate has fifty acres,” said Lady Camilla. “But I still don’t expect to see you on them when I’m there.”

I pinched my lips together. Lady Camilla was not just frosty, she was a solid icicle. “Very well.”

Lady Camilla’s gaze went down to Flipper, who sat obediently by my right leg. “And this is your... helper dog the agency told me about?”

“This is Flipper,” I said. “I’ll keep him out of your way, but he’s never any trouble.”

“I’m sure he won’t be,” said Lady Camilla. “I have dogs myself. I like to hunt and take them out during the season. They live in kennels off-site.”

I raised my eyebrows. I didn’t know what season she was talking about; hunting had been outlawed in this country for years.

“Your dog can stay outside. He can share the kennels with my own pack,” said Lady Camilla.

I pulled back my shoulders and shook my head. There was no way Flipper was going to be confined to a dog kennel with a pack of dogs reared for hunting. “That won’t work. He assists me with my... condition. I need to have him with me at all times.”

“He could be a problem,” said Lady Camilla. “If he barks it will bring on one of my headaches.”

“He won’t be a problem,” I said. “And Lord Asquith allowed me to have Flipper by my side when I worked for him, and he found him invaluable. In fact, they became good friends and he always asks after Flipper whenever we speak.”

Lady Camilla sniffed and tapped her nails on the arm of her chair. “Well, for now, your dog can stay. But I will speak to Hillard directly, and if he tells me anything unpleasant about your animal, he will have to go in the kennels.”

I let out a relieved sigh. Lord Asquith adored Flipper, and would often tempt him over with a treat of sausages whenever my back was turned. He would rain praise on Flipper’s head.

A heap of papers slid to the ground from the table in the corner of the room, and Lady Camilla let out an exasperated sigh. “For goodness sake, why does it keep doing that?”

“Perhaps the first thing I can start with is some filing?” I said as I walked towards the pile of papers. “I can get rid of some of these papers and help you to get everything in order.”

“Before you put anything away, you must create an effective filing system. Nothing complicated. I must be able to lay my hands on everything I need at a moment’s notice, even when you are not available.”

“That won’t be a problem,” I said, as I gathered the fallen papers and placed them back on the table. “You tell me what you need, and I’ll make sure it’s done.”

Lady Camilla gave a curt nod. “That will be acceptable. The paperwork does need to be organized. The last girl really was quite hopeless. All those tears, and for no reason whatsoever. It was most exasperating to be around such a feeble-minded individual.”

“Didn’t I tell you, they seem like ideal candidates?” Henry leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest as he studied the view into the garden.

“They seem suitable,” said Lady Camilla.

“Perhaps we can have some tea together?” suggested Henry. “And you can all get to know each other better.”

“That would be nice,” said Helen.

“Not here,” said Lady Camilla abruptly. “You can both take your tea downstairs. Don’t get ideas above your station when it comes to your roles in this house. The rooms on this level are out of bounds for your personal use. You can be in them when you are required to do your jobs, but other than that, you remain downstairs and out of the way.”

“Surely you can make an exception on this one occasion,” said Henry. “It would be a nice way to welcome Helen and Lorna into the household.”

“They have their own refreshments downstairs,” said Lady Camilla. “Their kitchen is fully stocked. But we can have tea together.”

Henry gave a small shrug and jutted his bottom lip out. “As you wish.”

“You can go.” Lady Camilla waved a hand in my direction. “I will see you first thing in the morning to begin our work together.”

I resisted the sarcastic urge to curtsy, and gave a nod instead, before turning and following Helen and Flipper out of the room.

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” said Helen, as we walked back along the hallway to the front door.

“That recruitment consultant told me she was frosty,” I said.

“Frosty! She’d make an iceberg look toasty warm. And she’s confining us to the downstairs quarters. It’s like we’ve stepped back a hundred years. Perhaps we should just leave now before she shackles us and turns us into actual slaves,” said Helen.

“I wish we could,” I said. “But we haven’t worked in over a month. And the pay is amazing. If we can just stick it out here for six months, we’ll have enough to live on for the rest of the year.”

“I’m not sure I can manage six more minutes,” said Helen.

“You’ll feel better after some tea,” I said.

“Tea would be good.” Helen grabbed her case from the trunk of the car, and I did the same, before locating the stairs to the downstairs servants’ area.

“And there’s always the bonus of Henry being around,” I said, as we descended the wooden staircase.

Helen paused and grinned at me. “He is rather lovely.”

“I knew you liked him.”

“I think he’s charming,” said Helen. “And handsome too.”

“And rich,” I said.

“That helps,” said Helen. “And he’s single.”

“I noticed you were quick to find that one out.” I reached the bottom of the stairs and looked around. “Guess it’s up to us to find our own way about, down here.”

“You find our rooms, I’ll get the kettle on, and we can talk more about how lovely Henry is, said Helen.

I grinned at her as she hurried away. This job might not be the greatest, but I had Helen and Flipper by my side, and so far no interfering ghosts getting in the way. I could handle a cold employer if it meant I got an easy time of it on the ghost hunting business.

I patted Flipper on the head. “Come on, let’s go and figure out where we’re supposed to be sleeping.”

Chapter 3

I stretched and turned over, groaning as I did so. I’d had a lousy night’s sleep. My mattress was too hard for my liking, and the room was full of more oppressive dark wooden furniture that made the room shrink towards me whenever I squinted my eyes. But what had made my sleep so bad, were the dreams I’d had. Every time my eyes shut and I drifted off, the same dream would return. I was driving through thick, relentless fog that prevented me from seeing where I was going. I’d woken several times, kicking off my covers in a heart-juddering panic, thinking I was about to crash.

The sense of panic still hadn’t left me after I’d showered, dressed and walked to the kitchen with Flipper in search of breakfast.

Helen was already in the kitchen, setting out bowls and mugs for us on a worn looking wooden table.

“How did you sleep?” she asked.

“I’d have slept better on a bed of nails.” I sat at the table and yawned loudly. “How about you?”

“I had lots of lovely dreams,” said Helen with a smile.

“Let me guess, they were all about the dashing Henry?” We’d spent about an hour last night discussing how charming Henry seemed to be. Helen was utterly taken by him.

“There might have been one or two dreams that featured him.” Helen placed a platter of fresh fruit in front of me. “The kitchen is well stocked, and I’ve made the batter for pancakes after we finish with the healthy stuff.”

“Sounds good,” I said, as I speared a chunk of melon onto a fork.

The kitchen door opened and a man with sandy brown hair and dark eyes strolled through. He wore a navy overall and had a checked shirt tied around his middle. His jaw was strong and firm, but as his gaze settled on me and Helen, I saw a coldness in his eyes that made me shudder.

“Who are you?” he asked, his steps slowing as he spotted us at the table.

“We work here,” I said. “And you are?”

He gave a nod. “You must be the new help.”

“Helen and Lorna.” I raised my eyebrows at him, expecting an introduction.

“Good luck in those roles,” he said, giving us a sly smile. “Lady C is a handful.” He strolled over to where the kettle sat on the stove and poured himself a drink. “I’m Billy Jacob. I’m the handyman on the estate. Anything breaks, you come find me.”

“How long have you worked here?” asked Helen, wrinkling her nose as she watched Billy dip a finger into the pancake batter mixture.

“Must be five years now,” said Billy after he’d sucked the batter from his finger.

“Any secrets we should know about?” Helen jumped up and grabbed the bowl, moving it out of Billy’s reach.

“You come to my room tonight, and I’ll show you a secret or two.” Billy grinned at Helen.

Helen’s nose wrinkled even more. “It’s okay, I’m happy to find out the secrets on my own.”

Billy barked out a laugh. “Your loss. How about you?” His gaze turned to me.

“I’m happily taken,” I said.

“Makes no difference to me. Although I do prefer blondes.” Billy’s gaze returned to Helen.

“Well, it does to me,” I said sharply.

Billy pulled out a tin of tobacco from his back pocket and began to roll a cigarette. “Guess you’ve met the family.”

“We were introduced to Lady Camilla yesterday,” I said. “And we also ran into Ranulph when we first arrived.”

“That snivelling little snot,” said Billy. “Watch out for him, he likes to think he runs the place.”

“We figured that out already,” said Helen. “He tried to shoot us in an effort to show what a big man he is.”

Billy licked the tobacco paper, rolled it into a thin cigarette, and then tucked it behind his ear. “Sounds about right. What he lacks for in brains, he makes up for in fire power. He collects guns, thinks it makes him a hard man. But you only have to look at him the wrong way and he gets scared and runs off.”

“I’ll give him my fiercest glare the next time we meet,” I said.

Billy nodded. “That would do it. I enjoy winding him up, though, seeing how far I can push him before he threatens to sack me or shoot me. He never goes through with either of those things. I think Lady C despises him almost as much as everybody else does. His god complex doesn’t impress her.”

An old-fashioned copper bell hanging on the wall rang over a sign marked study.

“Looks like you’re needed,” said Billy, bobbing his head in the direction of the bell.

“The family still use a bell system to summon staff?” I asked.

“They do.” Billy grinned. “They’re stuck in the wrong century. But Lady C doesn’t like to be kept waiting, so you’d better get a move on.” He grabbed his mug of tea, downed the contents, and headed to the door.

“Thanks for the warning.” I didn’t like the vibe Billy gave off. His smile looked genuine, but his eyes held no emotion.

“Welcome to the estate,” said Billy, as he pulled open the door. “I’ll be putting a bet on to see how long the two of you last.”

As he left the room, Helen shook her head at me. “He’s a charmer. I’ll make sure to add him to my Christmas card list.”

“He does seem like a jerk,” I said. My gaze went back to the bells on the wall. There was a dozen of them, all marked for different rooms in the house. “Can you believe it, Lady Camilla uses those bells to summon us.”

“She’s summoning you not me,” said Helen. “After talking to her yesterday, it sounds like I’m going to be hidden below stairs most of the time. And I hate that. I like to get the sun on my skin at least once a day.”

“You can go upstairs,” I said. “Just keep a low profile when Lady Camilla is about, so she doesn’t put you on bread and gruel for a week as punishment.”

Helen frowned at me. “I’d resign if she tried to take away my treats. But I will keep out of her way. And I’m also going to keep a low profile whenever Billy is about. I saw him trying to peek down the front of my shirt. I’ve had enough letches to last me a lifetime.”

“He was arrogant. But he could have been showing off. Some men like to do that, play the big man and think it impresses us feeble-minded women.” I flapped my hand in front of my face and placed it against my forehead in a mock swoon.

“He’s picked the wrong two women if he thinks that’s going to work,” said Helen.

I smiled at her. “We definitely don’t like men who brag about their assets.”

“I didn’t mind it when Henry was talking about his estate,” said Helen. “And I’d like to know more. He said he was a neighbor, and everyone with a house around here must have heaps of money.”

“I bet you can’t buy a one-bed apartment for less than quarter of a million in this area.” I grinned at Helen as she dumped the contaminated batter mix down the sink and began to make a new batch.

Helen beat the flour, eggs, and sugar together briskly before pouring the first two ladles into a hot pan. “I wonder if I’ll get to see where Henry lives?”

“Just remember, money isn’t everything. You have to ask yourself if you’d still love him if he lived in a tent and got his clothes from a thrift store.”

“I know there’s more to a man than the amount of money in his bank account.”

I nodded. That was definitely the case when it came to my Zach. He would never be rich working as a gardener, but the fact he was happy doing something he loved outweighed that fact. His happiness made me happy, and I’d even live in a tent with him, at a push.

“You should get a move on,” said Helen. “I bet Lady Camilla doesn’t like ringing the bell more than once to get what she needs.”

I finished off the piece of pineapple I was eating and stood. “You’re right. Better go and see what she wants.”

Helen scooped a pancake out of the pan, wrapped it in a paper towel, and handed it to me. “Enjoy this on the way.”

“Thanks. I need all the energy I can get. I’m not sure where to start on that paperwork Lady Camilla mentioned, it all sounds like a mess. I have a feeling I’ll be sorting and shredding out-of-date bits of paper for weeks before I can make any headway.” I bit into the pancake and closed my eyes for a second to enjoy the sweet, fluffy treat.

“If anyone can get it sorted, you can,” said Helen. “You’re a genius at what you do.”

“Stop, or I’ll get a big ego, just like the lovely Ranulph.”

“You’d better not,” said Helen. “Or they’ll be no more pancakes for you.”

I jumped and dropped the rest of my pancake on the floor as a thumping sound echoed through the walls. “What was that?”

Flipper jumped up and dashed to the wall, ignoring the piece of pancake, his ears flat against his head.

“You don’t think we’ve got a ghostly visitor?” asked Helen. “You’ve not seen anything have you?”

“I’ve had a few odd feelings,” I said. “I got the impression the walls were shifting when we first arrived. But I’ve not seen a ghost or felt any cold spots as I walked around.”

“Maybe they’re trying to show themselves to you but they don’t have much energy,” said Helen. “How are you feeling now? Any ghostly chills?”

I did feel odd. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up, and a shiver was inching down my spine. “There could be someone here.” I crept closer to the wall and pressed my hand against it.

The kitchen door banged open and Billy charged in brandishing a wrench. “God-awful noise. The plumbing in this place is as old as the hills. Lady C refuses to get it updated, so we have to put up with this noise all the time.” He pumped his fist against the wall. “I’d smash through this, wrench out the ancient pipework, and have it all replaced with plastic. That would solve the problem, but her Ladyship won’t hear of it.”

The thudding sound continued as we all stared at the wall, Flipper grumbling in his chest as his gaze remained fixed on the white, peeling paintwork.

“It’s definitely the pipes that are the problem?” asked Helen.

“Nothing else it could be,” said Billy. “It started happening a couple of years ago. Must be because the lead is breaking down. Lucky if we don’t all get poisoned by it.”

“Is the water safe to drink?” Helen looked at our empty mugs on the table.

“Don’t worry, Princess, Lady C buys in the bottled stuff. Ask Manfred to get you a few bottles of your own for down here if you think the water’s dodgy. He does all the household ordering.”

The thudding in the wall slowly eased, and the chill running down my spine faded along with the noise.

“That’s better,” said Billy. “I’d better go down to the basement and check nothing has leaked. If there’s water pouring everywhere there will be hell to pay.” He paused by the door. “Oh, and there’s some guy outside asking for you, Lorna.”

“Who is it?” I asked.

“Didn’t bother to get his name,” said Billy. “He’s got dirt under his fingernails though, and a shirt that’s seen better days, covered in grass stains. I thought he was a beggar, to begin with, but he reckons he knows you.”

I nodded, a smile already on my face, despite Billy’s insults. There was only one man I knew who looked good in a grass-stained shirt.

“Go on, go and see Mr. Perfect,” said Helen, waving me away with a hand. “I have a stack of pancakes to eat.”

I gave Helen a quick wave goodbye, and hurried along the hallway to the front door with Flipper. Zach was just the tonic I needed after being spooked by those pipes.

As I pulled open the front door, I spotted Zach and Jessie standing by his Land Rover. I ran across the gravel and flung my arms around his neck. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

Zach pulled me close to him and kissed my forehead. “I had to go out and get some supplies, thought I’d stop in on my way back. How are things with you?”

“Interesting.” I stepped back, and bent down to pat Jessie’s head. She was already bouncing on her paws, her dark eyes gleaming with delight as she saw her best friend, Flipper.

“Define interesting.”

“Well, our new employer is a little on the frosty side,” I said. “And we have to stay in the servants’ quarters downstairs.”

“That’s very old-fashioned of her,” said Zach. “Anything else?”

I twisted a strand of hair around one finger. “Someone tried to shoot Flipper when we arrived.”

Zach’s gaze hardened. “Did this person threaten you as well?”

“No, he was a wimp pretending he knew how to use a gun,” I said. “When Helen and I stood up to him, he turned tail and almost ran. But I definitely won’t mind never seeing him again.”

Zach raised his eyebrows. “And?”

I grabbed Zach’s hand. “If you’re asking if there are any ghosts, then so far, no.” My thoughts turned briefly to the banging pipes in the kitchen and the strange sensations I’d had. But I was telling the truth, I hadn’t seen anything unusual.

Zach let out a sigh and his shoulders eased down. “Well, that’s a good thing. If all you have to cope with is an old-fashioned employer, then you should handle that just fine.”

“It will just take some getting used to after our last place of work,” I said. “Jasmine and Chris were lovely to work for.”

“It’s a shame they no longer needed you,” said Zach.

“It is, but I’m glad it happened,” I said. “Thanks to what we did for them, they no longer needed me or Helen. They can run their own household and look after themselves again. And although the job was a good one, this one should be fine. Like you say, it’s just different circumstances, I need to get used to that. I’ve done old-fashioned and stuffy before.”

“You’ll be great at it,” said Zach. “Have you got time for a walk? I know Jessie has been missing Flipper like crazy. And I might have been missing you a little as well.”

“I haven’t,” I said, my bottom lip jutting out. “Lady Camilla is probably rattling the bell like a possessed nun because I didn’t come running on her first ring.”

“What bell?”

I explained how the system worked in the house. “So, I think I’m going to get in trouble on my first day. How’s your new job going?”

A big smile lit up Zach’s face. “It’s great. The landowner is one of these Internet self-made millionaires. He’s got a passion for conservation, and he’s bought this huge piece of land and wants to turn it into a haven for local wildlife. It’s incredible, full of native trees and shrubs. There’s so much potential there, I almost don’t know where to start. He wants ponds to encourage frogs and newts to breed, and an enormous number of additional trees planted, and he’s even talking about bringing in livestock to act as natural grazers. It will be amazing having herds of sheep and goats around to keep the weeds and grass in check. And he’s something of a buff when it comes to butterflies as well, and is talking about a wildflower oasis.”

“That all sounds lovely,” I said, grinning as Zach’s face lit up as he talked about his work. “Sounds like you’re going to have your hands full.”

“I don’t mind for a second,” said Zach. “Seth, my new boss, is chilled out about things. He basically said he’d give me a blank check and I can get on and do the work that needs doing. He’s going to come by a couple of times a week and see how things are going, but other than that I can get on with it. I can hire my own team of staff if I need them, and can order as many pieces of machinery as I want. He’s a great guy.”

“I wish my employer was so flexible,” I said. “We’re not going to get to spend that much time together; no male visitors is one of her inflexible rules.”

Zach scrubbed at the stumble on his chin and frowned. “I’m not going to stop coming by and seeing you.”

“We can see each other on my day off.”

“A whole day. I guess I should feel privileged.”

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “We’ll have time together. And from the sounds of it, you’re going to be too busy to notice I’m not around so much.”

Zach raised his eyebrows. “I’ll notice. When’s your day off? I can plan something nice for us to do.”

“Sunday,” I said. “I’ll give you a call and we can meet up.”

“Maybe if I meet your boss, I could try to charm her, see if I can make her change her mind about the no men rule. She could be lonely, I might be just what she needs.”

I swatted his arm. “Honestly, she’s a bit of an old maid. And there’s no husband around. He died years ago, but I haven’t seen any pictures of him in the house. Lady Camilla lives here with just her son and the staff.”

“That does sound lonely,” said Zach. “Maybe she acts the way she does because she’s been isolated for too long.”

“Could be that,” I said. “Maybe she’ll warm up to me when we get to know each other.” I glanced at the front door, knowing I was short on time and worried I’d get in trouble.

“Can’t you spare me five minutes now for a quick tour outside?” asked Zach. “We’re not going to see each other for a week, and the grounds look amazing. I’d love to work here.”

I glanced at the front door again. “Well, I guess five minutes won’t hurt. I’ve not had much of a chance to look around outside yet. Come on.” I grabbed Zach’s hand, feeling like a naughty schoolgirl sneaking a boy back to my dorm room, and we hurried past the house, heading towards the garages, the dogs bounding along behind us.

There were several raised flower beds, with neat rows of late summer roses in them, and the heady scent of lavender hung in the air as we reached the garages. Sleepy bees buzzed around the flowers as they collected nectar.

“What’s in here?” Zach peered through one of the small panes of glass. “Wow! You need to see this.”

“What is it?” I stood on my tiptoes and looked in.

“Vintage cars,” said Zach. “Loads of them.”

I shrugged as I looked at the cars, they weren’t really my thing. So long as my car had an engine, ran smoothly, and didn’t cost much to fill with gas, that’s all I cared about.

“There are a dozen vehicles in there,” said Zach. “Must be worth over a million pounds of cars.”

I shook my head. Why anyone would want to waste so much money on cars was beyond me. “I didn’t know you were into cars.”

“You’ve seen my Land Rover, so you know I’m not,” said Zach, giving me a wry smile. “But even you’ve got to admire these.”

Flipper slowed as he ran past the garage. He looked up at me and gave a whine, his nose pointing at the closed garage door.

“Nothing in there for you,” I said to him. “Go play with Jessie while she’s here.”

Flipper’s tail went down, and he looked from me to Jessie.

I shooed him away gently. “Go have fun. Play while you can. Once we’re with Lady Camilla, you’re not going to be able to make a sound.”

Flipper heaved a sigh, before turning and bounding away. His behavior was strange. Maybe there was a smell in the garage he didn’t like.

I looked inside the garage again and spotted a silver Jaguar, a coffee-colored Aston Martin, and a red convertible. “Okay, they’re nice looking cars.”

“I hope someone makes good use of them,” said Zach. “There’s nothing worse than seeing a load of cars like this stuck in a garage like a private showroom. It’s such a waste.”

“I can’t imagine Lady Camilla burning up the country lanes in any of these,” I said. “I expect she gets someone to drive her.”

“What about the slimeball who pointed a gun at you?” asked Zach. “I hope he doesn’t use them. Someone like that doesn’t deserve cars as beautiful as this.”

I squinted into the gloom of the garage as a shimmer of movement caught my eye. I then fell backwards in surprise, as two pale faces stared back at me.

Zach caught hold of me before I hit the ground. “What’s wrong?”

I took a deep breath to calm my fluttering heart. “I’ve just seen a ghost.”

Chapter 4

Zach’s grip remained firm around my waist. “In the garage? There’s a ghost in there?”

“Actually, two ghosts,” I said. “They just popped up on the other side of the glass.”

“What are they doing inside the garage?”

I took a breath to steady my nerves and then peered back through the glass. The ghosts were still there; a man and woman in their mid-twenties. They stood side by side, both had a sad expression on their faces. “I’ve no idea, but they don’t look happy being in there.”

“Ghosts can’t get trapped in a building, can they?” asked Zach.

I shook my head. He was still fairly new to my ghost seeing abilities, and it had taken him time to get used to them, and always had dozens of questions whenever I was involved in a new ghost mystery.

“No. Ghosts can come and go as they please,” I said. “But there must be a reason why they’re in the garage. They’re young, can’t be much younger than me.”

“And how do you feel?” Zach studied me carefully. “Not having any ill-effects from the ghosts being here?”

The sudden appearance of a ghost did tend to make me dizzy and light-headed, which was why I always had Flipper around to alert me to their company, just in case I decided to pass out at an inappropriate time.

Seeing these ghosts, I now understood why Flipper was behaving the way he was, and I’d ignored the signs. I’d have to get him a treat to make up for that.

“I don’t feel bad, the ghosts just surprised me,” I said. “They’re not paying us any attention. In fact, they only have eyes for each other.” The ghosts were holding hands, the woman kept glancing at the man next to her. He kept his gaze fixed firmly on her as if she was the only thing he was interested in.

“Do you think they can’t see us?” asked Zach. “Maybe they’re... what do you call it, a residual ghost energy?”

“It’s possible,” I said. “If they don’t do anything soon, you could be right. This image of them could be stuck here, repeating over and over because the garage has some significance to them.”

“And if they’re not residual energy?” asked Zach.

“Well, I might find out why they’re here.”

Zach caught hold of my shoulders and turned me towards him. “Just do it carefully. No more dramas.”

“There were no dramas the last time I helped a ghost,” I said.

“You buried the bones of a dead child in the woods without telling the police,” said Zach. “That’s a crime.”

“Are you going to have me arrested?” I fluttered my eyelashes at Zach.

“No! But I spoke to my brother on the quiet about it, and he was interested in why I was asking questions about burying human remains.”

“What did you tell him?” Zach’s brother, Gunner, was high up in the police.

“Nothing to get you in trouble, and Gunner’s discreet,” said Zach. “But you could get yourself in serious trouble doing something like that. So, this time, don’t go doing anything illegal to help a ghost.”

“I only buried those bones to give the ghost some peace. That poor child had a tragic life, it was the least I could do.”

“I know that, but all I’m asking this time, is you keep things simple if the ghosts ask for your assistance.”

“I always try to do that,” I said. “It’s the ghosts who complicate things.”

“What are you two doing here?” Ranulph strode around the side of the house, his piggy eyes narrowing as he spotted Zach.

“Exploring my new home,” I said.

“This is not your home,” sneered Ranulph. “And who are you?” He jabbed a stubby finger at Zach.

“Lorna’s boyfriend,” said Zach.

“Mommy will be angry when she knows you’ve already snuck a man in here.” Ranulph gave me a sly smile. “Didn’t peg you for the type of girl to have a man on the go.”

“I didn’t sneak anyone anywhere,” I said. “Zach came for a visit. He’s not staying over, we’re not breaking any rules.”

“Still, she won’t like it,” said Ranulph. “And shouldn’t you be at work by now? We’re paying you for your services, not to spend time with your lover.”

Zach took a step towards Ranulph, his fists clenched. “I thought the upper class were supposed to have good manners?”

“I have when I’m around my equals.” Ranulph scuttled backwards as Zach’s shadow loomed over him. “I don’t use them on the help.”

“Perhaps you should,” growled Zach.

Ranulph took a stumbling step backwards. “You don’t even work here.”

“That’s hardly the point,” said Zach. “Good manners make a person. And you need to show respect to Lorna.”

Ranulph licked his lips. “You can’t threaten me.”

“I’m not threatening you, simply suggesting you stop being such a vile individual.”

Ranulph blinked rapidly several times. “You don’t even know me.”

“And I don’t wish to,” said Zach. “But I am going to be coming to see Lorna on a regular basis, and if you don’t improve the way you speak to her, we’re going to fall out.” He took another step towards Ranulph.

“What nonsense,” stammered Ranulph. “I’ll have you fired.”

“As you said, I don’t work here,” said Zach.

“Well, I’ll... I’ll have Lorna fired.”

“I haven’t done anything,” I said. “And you know yourself, how desperate your mother is for help. She won’t appreciate it if you fire me before I’ve even done a single day’s work.”

“She’ll understand,” said Ranulph. “If I tell her that I found you and this... this person, fooling around with each other in the garden, she won’t hesitate in getting rid of you. She doesn’t like slatterns.”

“What did you call Lorna?” growled Zach.

“Well, who knows what I might have found if I’d been five minutes later.” Ranulph continued to back away. And he was wise to, if Zach got any angrier, steam would have come out of his ears.

Flipper positioned himself directly behind the retreating Ranulph, and he sprawled backwards and hit the ground with a satisfying thud.

“Keep your dog away from me!” Ranulph rolled over onto his stomach with a grunt, and raised his hands over his head. “He’s going to bite me.”

“He never bites unless I tell him to,” I said, struggling to hide a grin as I watched Ranulph roll around in the dirt.

“He tripped me deliberately.” Ranulph shot an angry look at Flipper, who sat calmly to one side, washing a paw.

“You weren’t looking where you were going,” said Zach. “You were trying to scuttle away while we were having a conversation about your bad manners.”

Ranulph jumped to his feet and brushed his dirt-covered slacks. “You need to leave.”

“I think you do,” said Zach.

“This is my home.”

“And I’m your guest,” said Zach.

“You’re no guest of mine,” said Ranulph.

“But he is mine,” I said. “And he’s welcome here. We’re doing nothing wrong.”

“That’s not the point,” said Ranulph. “I get to decide who comes to this estate, not you.”

“And I’m sure you won’t mind if Zach visits,” I said.

Ranulph opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. “He has to leave.”

“I’ll leave when I want to,” said Zach. He turned to me. “But perhaps it is time I get going. Don’t want to make you too late on your first official day.”

“Yes, you go,” said Ranulph.

I shot Ranulph a death glare before turning to Zach. “It was lovely to see you. We’ll definitely make plans on my first day off.”

Zach’s gaze shot to the garage. “And keep me informed, about everything.”

I knew Zach wouldn’t be happy about my involvement with these ghosts, but I needed to find out why they were there, and ensure they were happy. “I will.”

Zach kissed my cheek, ignoring the loud tutting from Ranulph. “I’ll see you soon.” He walked past Ranulph, nudging him with his shoulder as he did so.

“Yes, you go,” said Ranulph, as he gestured at Zach’s back.

I shook my head at Ranulph. “Zach’s a nice guy.”

Ranulph glared at me. “You could do better.”

“I don’t want better.”

“I could take you out in one of those cars you were looking at,” said Ranulph. “Would you like that?”

I raised my eyebrows. Was Ranulph asking me on a date, even though he’d just met my boyfriend? “I’m not into cars.”

“Not even the Jag?”

“Fancy cars don’t do it for me.”

“We could have some fun in one of those cars,” said Ranulph. “And surely you’ve got your sights set on something a little higher than a handyman.”

“Zach’s an excellent gardener,” I said sharply. “He’s in a lot of demand. And I’m happy with him.”

“What about the little red number in the corner?” persisted Ranulph. “My sister used to drive it. It needs a good run.”

“I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“Well, I did,” said Ranulph. “She’s gone now.”

“She doesn’t live on the estate anymore?”

“She definitely doesn’t,” said Ranulph. “You can borrow her car whenever you like. She’ll never use it.”

“I don’t need a car,” I said. “Where’s your sister living now?”

Ranulph shrugged. “Be nice to me and I’ll let you have the car. You can keep it.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Really, I’m not interested in cars. Please, stop trying to give me your sister’s car, she might want it one day and won’t be happy to find you trying to give it to some stranger.”

“Oh, no, she’ll never need it,” said Ranulph.

“She’s moved abroad?”

“We’re not sure where she is,” said Ranulph as he scuffed his foot along the ground. “She’s most likely dead.”

My mouth fell open. “Your sister’s dead?”

“Could be,” said Ranulph. “She disappeared. Some think she eloped, but I’m not so sure. And if she did, she was never good at looking after herself, and without money from Mommy, she’d have perished. Especially considering who she eloped with.”

“But why do you think she’s dead?” I asked. “Did she fall in with the wrong crowd? Or get into drugs?”

“She might have done. The chap she left with was no good for her,” said Ranulph. “So, do you want the car or not?”

I shook my head, words failing me. Looks like I’d just found out who the female ghost was in the garage.

“Come on, you’d look cute behind the wheel,” said Ranulph. “Let’s go for a spin now.”

“If your sister really is dead, offering me her car is not appealing,” I said.

“You’re a hard one to please.” Ranulph gave a loud sigh and swung his arms by his sides. “I’ll find something to tempt you with. Every female has a weakness.” He reached forward to touch my arm but backed away when Flipper growled at him.

“I don’t have any weaknesses you’ll ever find,” I said.

Ranulph’s bottom lip poked out. “Anyway, you’ll be in trouble now. Mommy’s been ringing the house bell. You’re needed and you have to go to her. She does not expect to be kept waiting.”

“Don’t worry, I’m on my way.” I hurried around Ranulph, Flipper by my side, and towards the main door of the house. My thoughts were whizzing around my head as I pulled open the door. Was that the ghost of Ranulph’s sister I’d spotted the garage? And who was the male ghost with her?

I needed to find out more about this missing sister, and her companion, and what happened to them.

Chapter 5

As I entered the house, I could hear the ringing of a bell and my stomach sank. It must be Lady Camilla. I was going to be in trouble.

I sat Flipper by the entrance of the study, before knocking on the door.

“Enter,” said Lady Camilla.

I pushed open the door and saw her standing by a fireplace. It was another dark wood-paneled room, with a large desk by the window, and rows of books on sturdy looking shelves. There were also piles of papers. Not just a few piles, but every surface was covered in stacks of papers.

“Where have you been?” snapped Lady Camilla. “I’ve been ringing this bell for several minutes.”

“I was just outside,” I said. “I was—”

“Do not give me your excuses,” said Lady Camilla. “When I ring the bell, you come immediately. I do not expect to have to ring more than once. You are being paid to do a job for me, and I expect you to be here when I need you!”

“I understand, but I was just outside—”

Lady Camilla raised a finger to her lips. “Less talking and more work. I am already disappointed in you. You will have to put in extra time today to make up for your tardiness this morning.”

I glanced at the clock over the fireplace and saw it was two minutes past seven, I was hardly late. But my employer knew best, so I swallowed my pride and forced a smile on my face. “I’ll stay late this evening to make up for it.”

“Yes, you will.” Lady Camilla gave a dramatic sigh before striding to the desk and sitting down. “Join me.” She gestured to a chair on the opposite side of the desk.

I hurried over and sat down, the chair creaking underneath me as I did so.

“I have some tax returns that need filing,” said Lady Camilla. “Are you able to do filing?”

“Of course,” I said, trying my best not to be offended by the question.

“The cabinet to your right contains my old tax files. I’ve never had much interest in finances, but have no choice but to be involved these days.”

“Was that something your husband used to do?”

Lady Camilla’s ice-blue gaze hardened as she glared at me. “I do not have a husband.”

I swallowed. That was a topic clearly not open for discussion. “Let me have a look at the filing system you use. I’ll soon have everything filed in the right place.”

I spent the next hour rifling through the messy files Lady Camilla kept on her tax returns. Some of the information was over twenty-years old, and all of it was in disarray.

Lady Camilla barely spoke a dozen words to me when I was working, and she remained bent over a letter she was writing, the scratchy sound of the pen nib on paper setting my nerves jangling. It sounded like tiny nails on a chalkboard.

I moved a pile of papers on top of the filing cabinet and discovered a dusty family photograph. A younger looking Lady Camilla was in it, alongside a chubby looking teenage version of Ranulph, a man who must have been Lord Reynold, and a young woman. This could be the dead daughter.

I lifted the photo and blew the dust off it. “This is a nice family photo.” I turned towards Lady Camilla, holding the picture out. “Would you like it in a more prominent position?”

“No.” Lady Camilla’s hand stilled on the paper in front of her.

“You have a lovely family,” I said. “Who’s the girl in the photo?”

“No one you need to concern yourself with,” said Lady Camilla.

“She looks like a relative,” I said. “You both have the same shaped face.”

Lady Camilla sniffed and placed her pen down. “She was my daughter.”

“Oh, does that mean she’s no longer around?”

“Catherine is dead,” said Lady Camilla. “She died two years ago.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said. “She couldn’t have been very old.”

Lady Camilla’s gaze ran over me. “She was probably a few years younger than you. Everyone called her Katie.”

“May I ask what happened to her?”

“No, you may not. Get on with your work.”

I looked at the photograph, focusing on the young blonde woman. This was the ghost I’d seen in the garage. But why was Katie’s ghost hanging around the house if she died two years ago? And who was the other ghost with her?

I placed the photo down, making sure Lady Camilla would see it from her desk.

“Have you sorted the tax files yet?” asked Lady Camilla, a few moments later.

“It’s going to take a couple of days to get through all of this,” I said. “Probably best if I lay it all out and get it sorted into date order first. Most we can shred, or put into storage so, it’s not in your way.”

“You deal with the details.” Lady Camilla waved a hand at me. “Just make sure it’s tidy and I have everything I need.”

“Will do,” I said. As I turned back to the filing cabinet, I heard Lady Camilla sigh. I glanced at her from out of the corner of my eye and saw her staring at the photograph. I longed to ask more questions but had a feeling she’d shut me down again.

She stood from her desk, her fingers rubbing her forehead. “Can I trust you to carry on with your work without my supervision?”

“Of course, Lady Camilla,” I said, noticing the strain around her eyes. Maybe bringing up the memory of her dead daughter had stressed her out. “I’ll be here for as long as I’m needed.”

Lady Camilla gave a slight nod, before walking to the door. “Make sure you do. No sneaking off early because I’m not watching you.” She opened the door and pulled it shut behind her.

I let out the breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding and waited a moment until I was sure Lady Camilla had gone. I then pulled open the door and let Flipper in. If I had to do the tedious job of filing all day, at least I deserved to have my furry best friend by my side.

Eight hours of dusty filing later, I shuffled back to the servants’ quarters for Flipper to find Helen. My fingers were riddled with paper cuts, and I kept sneezing from all the dust lodged in my nose, making Flipper whine every time I did so.

My mood brightened as Helen placed a plate of stew and dumplings in front of me.

“I know it’s not exactly summer food, but it looks like you need a hearty meal.” Helen brushed some dust from my cheek. “How was your first day working for the dragon lady?”

“She was as I’d thought she’d be, distant and unfriendly.” I sampled the stew and gave a contented sigh. “But I did find out some interesting information. She has a daughter.”

Helen sat opposite me. “Don’t tell me, she ran away from home because her mom was so mean to her.”

“Well, according to Lady Camilla and Ranulph, she’s dead.”

Helen lowered her fork. “Is that what you’ve been experiencing? A ghost making her presence felt?”

“There’s more,” I said. “When I was outside this morning with Zach, I saw two ghosts, and I’m certain one of them was Katie Reynold, the dead daughter.”

“You think Katie died in the house?”

“I’ve no idea,” I said. “But she was with another ghost, and neither of them looked too happy.”

“Well, you wouldn’t look happy if you were dead,” said Helen.

I shook my head at her. “I mean, they were both glum, as if they didn’t like being here. Although it’s weird, Ranulph assumed his sister had run off with someone, and then died because she couldn’t look after herself, but Lady Camilla simply said Katie was dead, but wouldn’t say any more than that.”

Helen jabbed a piece of carrot with her fork. “And Ranulph hasn’t bothered to find out what happened to his own sister?”

“He doesn’t strike me as a particularly caring brother,” I said. “He tried to give me his dead sister’s car.”

“He is a charmer,” said Helen. “So, what are you going to do about these ghosts?”

“I’m not certain,” I said. “Zach wasn’t happy there were ghosts here. You know what he’s like when it comes to me and ghosts.”

“Yes, and he knows exactly what you’re like. He knows you’ll want to help them.”

“What if they don’t want help?” I asked. “They could be in the garage because there’s something in there they need and they want to make sure it’s passed on to the family.”

“Want to go and have a snoop to see if you can find out more?”

“It’s not a bad idea to have a look in the garage,” I said. “Ranulph interrupted Zach and me, so we didn’t get very far with the ghosts.”

“Katie’s ghost still being there after all this time, suggests she’s restless for a reason. You don’t hang around for that amount of time just to pass on an expensive wristwatch to a family member.”

“Maybe I can get you looking into this mystery without me,” I said. “Zach gets so stressed about me helping ghosts.”

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” said Helen, giving me a wicked smile. “We’ll have a look tomorrow if we get a chance.”

“Why won’t we get a chance?” I asked. “We’ve hardly got a full social calendar. This is only our second day here.”

“Well, you might not have a full social calendar, but I already have a date.”

“You’re a fast mover,” I said.

“It wasn’t even me doing the fast moving,” said Helen, her cheeks glowing. “Henry sought me out. We spent a couple of hours together this afternoon, and I’ve got a load of his shirts to starch.”

“Hold on a second, you’re doing his laundry?” I asked. “That’s hardly romantic.”

“I offered,” said Helen. “I hate to see a man in poorly starched shirts. He didn’t thrust them upon me and insist I do it. And I like to see my men properly dressed.”

“So that was your date, dealing with his clothes?”

Helen stuck her tongue out at me. “Okay, so it wasn’t the most romantic of afternoons. But I have agreed to meet him tomorrow evening. He’s going to show me around the village, and even talked about dropping in at the local pub.”

“He seems keen,” I said. “Don’t move too quickly, though. You don’t know much about him.”

“Which is why we’re going on a date,” said Helen. “I intend to get to know a lot more about Henry.”

“So, I guess I’ll be doing the ghost-hunting alone this time,” I said.

“I’ll help when I can,” said Helen. “But I don’t want the dead to get in the way of my living relationships. No offence to the ghosts if they’re listening.” She glanced around the kitchen.

“They’re not here,” I said. “Did you learn much more about Henry while you were sorting out his clothes?”

“He’s definitely single, and he owns a huge house of his own. He’s the estate’s neighbor, and he’s close to the family.” Helen scratched her nose and squinted her eyes. “Actually, he mentioned dating someone called Katie. It was only in passing, but I wonder if it’s the same person.”

“Henry dated Katie Reynold?”

“I don’t know for sure,” said Helen. “He talked about being involved with someone from this family. But nothing came of it.”

“You’ll have to find out more,” I said. “Henry might have some interesting ideas about what happened to Katie.”

“I’m hardly going to discuss one of his exes when I’m on our date,” said Helen. “Talk about killing the romantic mood.”

“Well, if he offers any useful information, make sure you pass it on. It will help me work out why Katie’s still here.”

Helen nodded. “You said there were two ghosts. Who’s the other one?”

“A male ghost. He looked about the same age as Katie. He was tall, well dressed, with dark hair.”

“Another sibling that’s not talked about?”

“They didn’t look similar. I assumed they were a couple,” I said. “And Ranulph said Katie ran off with someone.”

“Henry might help with that mystery. He should know who Katie ended up with.”

“Isn’t Henry a bit old for Katie anyway? The ghost I saw couldn’t have been more than twenty five. Henry must be in his forties.”

“Maybe Katie’s like me, and preferred the older man,” said Helen. “Nothing wrong with that. They have more life experience.”

“And more baggage,” I said.

“I can handle a bit of baggage,” said Helen.

I smiled at her. “Just go slowly with him. Some men don’t like it if you show you’re too keen.”

“You mean like you were with Zach?” asked Helen. “You played it so cool that he thought you weren’t interested.”

I shrugged. “Fine, I’m not the world’s expert when it comes to relationships, but just make sure you get to know Henry properly before you move into his mansion.”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t set the wedding date just yet.”

The pipes in the wall began their ominous thumping again.

Flipper jumped to his feet and began to whine, his gaze on the wall where the thudding was coming from.

I stared at the wall for a few seconds, trying to detect any sensation that indicated the ghosts were materializing but didn’t feel anything.

“Is that Katie and her mystery man?” asked Helen.

“I’m not sure if it’s the ghosts or the house’s dodgy plumbing,” I said. “If it is the ghosts, it could be their way of telling me to do something to help them. We should go to the garage now and see if they’ll communicate, and tell us what’s going on.”

“Okay, let’s get this ghost business out of the way,” said Helen. “Then we can get back to the important subject of my date tomorrow.”

Chapter 6

On the pretence of taking Flipper for a walk, something he was happy to oblige, Helen and I donned our jackets and headed into the warm evening.

We did a brief circuit of the lawn at the front of the house, checking to make sure we were alone, before heading to the garage.

“Keep an eye out for Ranulph,” I said to Helen. “He was lurking here when I was with Zach.”

Helen shuddered. “We don’t want that creep getting in our way.”

I stopped by the garage door and look around, making sure no one was watching us.

“This is where you found them?” asked Helen, as she looked through the window.

“They were inside,” I said. “Gave me a fright when they first popped up.”

“Are they in there now?”

I peered through the pane of glass into the garage. At first, I couldn’t see anything, but slowly, the misty images of Katie and her mystery male friend appeared.

Flipper grumbled and paced from side to side.

I rested a hand on his head. “No need to worry, I know they’re here. I don’t think they mean us harm.”

“Just make sure they are friendly before we make contact,” said Helen. “I’ve had enough of mean ghosts for a while.”

I suppressed a smile as I thought back to her last encounter with a ghost who decided to cover her in ectoplasm. “They’re here.”

“Find out what they want,” said Helen. “I’ll keep an eye out for anyone coming.”

I pulled open the garage door and the smell of diesel and oil filled my nose. I flicked on the overhead light and focused on the ghosts who hovered in front of me.

“Are you Katie Reynold?” I asked the female ghost.

She shot a surprised look at her companion and then nodded.

“I’m Lorna Shadow. Not sure if you’ve met anyone who can see ghosts before, but I can. I can’t hear you, though, so there’s no point in making any noise unless that’s you thumping the pipes in the kitchen to get my attention.”

Katie shrugged and pointed to the garage floor.

“Well, yes, you’re right, the noise did get me out here.”

Katie looked over her shoulder at the cars.

“If you left something in one of these cars, I can retrieve it for you and give it to someone.”

She turned back to me and shook her head. She raised her hand and pointed to the sporty red car in the corner of the garage.

I looked over Helen. “Is it still all clear?”

“Yes, no one else is around,” whispered Helen. “Go do your ghost thing.”

I crept farther into the garage and over to the red car. I walked around it slowly but couldn’t see any signs of damage or repaired bodywork. “What do you want me to see here?” I asked Katie.

Katie looked at the ghost standing next to her, his shoulders were hunched and his head down. He had dark hair and a high, broad forehead. His nose was long and straight and his clothes looked well made.

I tried the handle on the car door but it was locked. “Any chance you can get me inside?” I asked Katie.

She slid away from the other ghost and drifted through the car door into the passenger seat. A few seconds later, the indicator lights on the car flashed.

I tried the handle again, and this time the door opened.

I sat in the driver’s seat, wondering at all the gadgets in front of me. “When did cars get so complicated?”

Katie hovered next to me, an expectant look on her face.

“So, we’re here now,” I said to her. “Is there something in the glove compartment you need to pass on?”

Katie shook her head and gestured to the seats.

I flipped open the glove compartment anyway, but there was nothing but the user manual, a set of gloves, and an empty sunglasses case.

Shutting the glove compartment, I felt around under the visor and then the front seats. There was nothing there either.

I looked at Katie. “If you didn’t leave something in the car, were you involved in a crash?”

She shook her head again and frowned at me.

I repressed a sigh. “I’m trying to help you, but you need to give me a few more clues. How did you die? Did someone hurt you when you were in this garage? Can you show me what happened?”

The air chilled inside the car as the male ghost joined us and sat in the back seat.

“Were you together when you are alive?” I asked him. “Are you married?”

The male ghost smiled but shook his head.

“But you are a couple?”

The male ghost nodded and smiled again, affection for Katie clear on his face.

“Okay, so the two of you were an item, and you both die at the same time?”

Katie nodded.

“And you died in the garage?”

Another nod.

We were finally getting somewhere. “Someone lured you in the garage and killed you?”

Katie shrugged and looked at the other ghost.

“You don’t remember what happened?” I scratched my forehead as I watched them exchange a puzzled glance.

“Your brother isn’t even sure you’re dead,” I said. “He thinks the two of you eloped.”

The air around me chilled and my breath plumed out in front of me as the car vibrated underneath me. “Guess you don’t think much of Ranulph?”

Katie scowled and thumped her fist on her leg.

“He made me want to do that as well. Did you hear him offer me your car?” I asked. “All I had to do to get it was be nice to him.”

Katie rolled her eyes and mouthed the word sorry.

“It’s not your fault your brother’s a sleaze,” I said. “If you and your brother weren’t close, do you think he had something to do with your deaths?”

Katie turned and looked at the ghost behind us. He gave a shrug and held his hands out.

This wasn’t getting me anywhere. I only knew who one of the ghosts was, I had no idea how they died, and they didn’t know who killed them. I could be getting everything in a muddle, and their deaths might have been accidents. But if there was no mystery to their deaths, why were they here?

“Let’s go back a couple of steps,” I said. “First of all, I need to find out who you are.” I pointed at the male ghost.

Katie mouthed the same word at me several times, but I couldn’t make them out. It looked like she was saying ponies.

“What have ponies got to do with this?” I asked.

Katie flapped her hands in front of her face and tried again. But all I could see was the word pony coming out of her mouth again and again.

“Did you have a riding accident on a pony? Oh no, wait. Isn’t there some sort of animal on the front of some of these cars? Maybe I’m thinking of a Jaguar, though.”

Katie shot out of the car and swirled around the garage, creating a chilling mist that made my flesh goose bump.

“Calm down, I’m trying to figure this out. The pony theory wasn’t a good one.” I hopped out of the car and stood by the door. “It will help if I know who both of you are, then I can do some research into your deaths.”

The Aston Martin on the other side of the garage began to flash its headlights and a horn blasted making me jump.

Helen poked her head around the door. “Everything okay in here?”

“Just a frustrated ghost,” I said to her. “Katie, you need to keep the noise down, someone will come and investigate what we’re doing.”

Katie spun around the garage, getting faster and faster.

“And you need to calm down,” I said. “I know this must be frustrating, but you have to help me figure out why you’re both still here. I need to ask you questions and find out what happened.”

Katie continued to spin, and as she did so, I got dizzy. Flipper was by my side in an instant, leaning his weight onto my leg and allowing me to use him for balance.

“We need to get out of here,” I said to him.

Flipper walked forward a few steps, letting me rest my hand on his head as I stumbled towards the door.

Helen poked her head around the door again. “Need a hand?”

“We’re fine,” I said. “But I’ve annoyed Katie.”

Another car started beeping and its alarm went off.

Helen shot a worried look at the cars. “The whole household will wonder what’s going on if those alarms keep going off.”

I shooed her out of the garage and was just closing the door behind me when a shadow fell across me.

“Don’t tell me, you fancied a midnight drive?”

Chapter 7

I turned to see Billy standing next to me, a half-smoked rollup hanging from his bottom lip and a bottle of whiskey in one hand.

“I’ve no idea what’s going on.” I slammed the garage door shut. “I was having an evening walk with Flipper when the alarms started going off, so I came to investigate.”

“You didn’t try getting inside any of the cars, did you?” asked Billy, a waft of whiskey fumes hitting me in the face as he spoke.

“Cars don’t interest me,” I said.

“What’s inside them might,” said Billy, giving me a lazy grin. “The family is terrible at leaving things in there they shouldn’t. I’ve discovered wallets, purses, iPads, even a couple of pairs of designer shoes. All worth a few quid.”

“And I’m sure you returned every single item to the family.” Helen stood by my side, her cold gaze fixed on Billy.

Billy shrugged. “I might have. But if they don’t miss something, maybe it should belong to a better owner.”

“You sold off items belonging to your employers?” asked Helen.

“They’ve got too much stuff anyway,” said Billy. “If you don’t miss shoes that cost five hundred pounds, you don’t deserve to have them. So, come on, tell me what you were doing in there?”

“Nothing, just investigating the noise,” I said. “Maybe someone was trying to steal a car and me coming to take a look frightened them away.”

“Sure it did, you’re terrifying.” Billy folded his arms over his chest and ran his gaze over my slight figure. “But I don’t care what you’re doing if it doesn’t affect me.”

The car alarms shut off, and I let out a breath. The night suddenly seemed too quiet.

I chewed on my bottom lip as I looked at Billy. He said he’d been here for years, maybe he knew something about Katie.

“I was talking to Lady Camilla today, and she told me about her daughter.”

“Is that right?” Billy stood up straighter.

“She said she’s dead.”

“That’s what the old girl believes.”

“Did you know Katie when she lived here?”

Billy removed the cigarette from his mouth and took a gulp of whiskey. “You could say that.”

“What do you think happened to her?” I asked.

“Who knows,” said Billy. “She sure was fun when she was around here, though.”

“You knew her well?” asked Helen.

Billy grinned. “I knew her in the biblical sense.”

“You two dated?” I asked, not even trying to hide my surprise.

“Don’t sound so shocked.” Billy wiped a hand across his mouth. “Every bit of posh likes some rough on the side. And I was more than happy to oblige that sweet young thing.”

“I bet Lady Camilla didn’t like that,” I said.

“She didn’t know anything was going on,” said Billy. “Lady C had plans to marry Katie off to some tedious, titled snob. But Katie was having none of it. She was much more of a free spirit. She didn’t care what her mom wanted for her. She was all about having a good time. And we had plenty of good times together.”

“You don’t seem like her type,” I said.

“You don’t know Katie,” said Billy. “I could be exactly her type.”

“What happened between the two of you?” asked Helen.

“I can draw you a diagram if you’d like,” sneered Billy. “Or better still, give you a few practical demonstrations.” He took a step towards Helen, and Flipper growled.

“Easy boy,” laughed Billy, as he looked down at Flipper. “Only giving this lovely lady what she wants.”

“I do not want anything to do with you,” said Helen.

“You don’t have any ideas what happened to Katie?” I asked Billy.

Billy focused his alcohol-glazed gaze on me. “Some say she’s dead, some think she cut all ties with the family because she couldn’t stand their old-fashioned ways.”

“If you were close, didn’t she confide in you?” I asked.

“She told me a few things, but they’re not suitable for your delicate ears.” Billy smirked and took another drink.

I shook my head, determined he wasn’t going to put me off. “Did Katie say anything about being unhappy and needing to leave?”

“She talked about getting away from the estate,” said Billy. “She found being here stifling. Even more so after she met that guy, and he encouraged her to leave with him.”

“Who was the guy?” I asked.

“Someone she worked with,” said Billy.

“What job did Katie have?” asked Helen.

“She worked at a law firm,” said Billy. “Her mom didn’t approve, wanted her to be a lady of leisure, like herself. But Katie had ambition. She went to university, qualified top of the class, and then got a job. Lady C wasn’t impressed. And Katie hadn’t been working long when she started talking about this other guy. After he was on the scene, he was all she was interested in. I didn’t get a look in after that.”

“What was his name?” I asked.

“Johnny something or rather,” said Billy. “He came to the estate a couple of times, but Lady C made it clear he wasn’t welcome. Not in the right class for her precious daughter.”

“Lady Camilla didn’t approve of Johnny?” I asked.

“She told the staff to chase him off the estate if he ever came by. Johnny got the message, though. And him and Katie started meeting away from the house. Then one day, they just disappeared.”

“You must have been disappointed to lose Katie,” said Helen. “Were you fond of her?”

“I was fond of the things she did to me. It’s always nice to have someone so pretty around.” He winked at Helen.

“Ranulph thinks something bad happened to his sister,” I said. “What do you think of his theory?”

“She’s been disinherited,” said Billy. “That’s a tragedy.”

“So, you think she’s still alive?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” asked Billy.

“Because a jealous ex might have decided to hurt her,” said Helen, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Billy. “Since she snubbed you for someone better, you might have taken revenge.”

Billy spat out a laugh. “Sweetheart, you don’t get any better than me. I know she’ll be missing what I used to give her.”

I shivered as a chill slid down my spine, and a second later, Katie appeared, standing next to Billy. She scowled at him and shook her head violently, before sticking her fingers down her throat and pretending to gag.

I masked a smile. Looked like Billy wasn’t telling the truth when it came to his relationship with Katie.

“You mentioned Lady Camilla was unhappy about Katie’s relationship with Johnny,” I said. “Do you think she would have done anything to get rid of him?”

Billy chortled and took another drink. “You think Lady C had Johnny bumped off because she didn’t approve of him? She’s not a gangster, darling. But she did the meanest thing she could and cut Katie out of the family. Lady C is a traditionalist and Katie wouldn’t toe the family line, so she might as well be dead. She means nothing to this lot anymore.”

“What about Ranulph?” asked Helen. “Was he fond of his sister?”

Billy shook his head. “They were always bickering over something pointless. Typical sibling relationship. He thought she got better gifts than him and was always breaking her stuff. It was pathetic, really. He whined about her to me, but I rarely listened.”

“If Katie has vanished, could Ranulph have had something to do with it?” I asked.

Billy’s gaze sharpened and he tilted his head to one side. “Why the interest in Katie?”

I glanced at Helen. “I’m interested in the family history. I like to know who I’m working for.”

“Katie isn’t a part of this family, so there’s no point in sticking your nose into her disappearance,” said Billy.

I nodded but carried on with my questions. Billy was being surprisingly helpful. “Who had the most to gain from Katie going missing?”

Billy shook his head. “You need to stop prying. You don’t even know Katie, she could have been a queen bitch who deserved to be cut off from the family and then killed.”

“No one said she’d been killed,” I said. “Do you think she has?”

Billy shrugged and leaned against the garage door. “What do I know? I’m just the hired help, and so are you.”

“Doesn’t it worry you that Katie vanished and nobody cares?” I asked. “Since you had an intimate relationship with her, you must feel something for her. Aren’t you the tiniest bit sad that she’s gone?”

Katie’s mouth dropped open and she shook her head. She waved her arms in the air, pointed at Billy, and then pulled a gagging face again.

I pressed my lips together and ignored Katie’s angry gesturing.

“Katie was a sweet thing, but there are plenty more sweet things to enjoy,” said Billy. “I’d be happy to accommodate either of you. Or both of you, if you’re not crazy, jealous types.”

Helen and I shook our heads at the same time.

The garage door slammed open and Johnny flung himself out. He spun around Billy several times and I watched as Billy staggered backwards.

“What’s going on?” Billy’s gaze was on the open garage door.

I grabbed the door and pushed it closed. “Must have been the wind.”

Johnny and Katie circled Billy, their expressions angry as they built up speed.

“I don’t feel so good,” gasped Billy as he staggered from side to side, repeatedly bumping into the ghosts.

“Maybe it was something you drank,” I said, as I looked at the half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand.

“I feel like I’m on board a ship.” Billy scrabbled for a handhold, catching nothing but thin air. He landed heavily on his knees with a surprised sounding grunt.

“You have been drinking,” said Helen. “Maybe you can’t handle your alcohol.”

“I’ve only had a couple of beers and this whiskey.”

Helen leaned towards me. “Guessing this is Katie and Johnny’s doing.”

I smiled at her. “Someone is not being truthful, and they’re not happy about it.”

Billy gave a groan and his head sank to the ground. I watched as Katie smacked her hands on his back several times.

“You don’t look well,” said Helen, in a super sweet voice. “Could be you’ve been overdoing things.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me.” Billy tried to get to his feet, but Katie shoved him in the side and he rolled over, kicking his arms and legs in the air.

Flipper ran over and licked his face.

“Don’t let your dog bite me!” said Billy, as he cringed away from Flipper.

“He’s just checking you’re okay,” I said. “But you are looking a bit sick, your face is gray. Best you get out of here and lie down.”

“While you still can,” muttered Helen under her breath.

I nodded as I watched Katie and Johnny circling Billy, anger sparking in their eyes.

“Perhaps I have been overdoing things.” Billy finally managed to push himself back to his feet. “I don’t know what came over me.” He spun around as Katie blew on his ear.

“Now you’ve gone a sickly green color,” said Helen. “You might like to see the doctor about that.”

Billy ran a hand down his face, before staggering away a few steps. “Maybe I should.”

I watched as he hurried into the gloom, Katie and Johnny pursuing him. Billy was in for a rough night.

“That was fun,” said Helen.

“It wasn’t just fun,” I said. “We found ourselves another suspect.”

Chapter 8

My sleep was plagued by more dreams, but this time they were clearer, and I could see Katie and Johnny in a car together. Maybe they were trying to communicate with me as I slept, but so far, their efforts left me with dark circles under my eyes and a short temper.

And it wasn’t only me being disturbed; Flipper had a restless night as well, and had woken several times, before jumping up and pacing around the bedroom as if he sensed someone there with us.

I pulled on my clothes and smoothed my hair down, before staring at my tired reflection in the mirror, knowing no amount of makeup was going to help me.

“Let’s go and see if Helen’s made us some nice breakfast,” I said to Flipper, as I patted his head. “That will cheer us both up.”

Flipper gave a gentle woof of agreement before we hurried out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

Helen took one look at me, shook her head, and handed me an extra-strong mug of tea. “Another bad night?”

“The ghosts were on my mind again. I’m sure they’re trying to reach out to me as I sleep, but none of it makes sense. All I’m seeing is them in a car and lots of fog around. I need more to go on than that. There are no hints as to who killed them, in the dreams.”

Helen placed a plate of blueberry muffins on the table and we both sat down. “We’ve got a few suspects to look into. We just have to figure out how to link them to the car dreams you’re having.”

I nodded and took a long drink of tea, letting the caffeine do its work. “Billy’s a good prospect at the moment. Neither Katie nor Johnny were thrilled to see him by the garage last night.”

“But were they behaving like that because he was telling lies about his relationship with Katie?” asked Helen.

“It could be that,” I said, as I selected a muffin. “Katie was unimpressed by what she heard, and so was Johnny. No surprise there.”

Flipper nudged me with his nose, so I broke off a small piece of muffin and gave it to him.

“Katie would never date Billy,” said Helen. “If she dated Henry in the past, I can’t see her going from Henry to Billy.”

“We only have Henry’s word that he actually dated Katie.”

“He has no reason to lie about something like that,” said Helen.

“Remind me again how long you’ve known Henry?” I smiled at her as I took a bite of the sweet muffin.

Helen huffed at me. “Well, maybe I do need to get to know him a little better. But, so far, he’s given me no reason to think he’d lie about anything to do with Katie.”

“So, let’s focus on Billy,” I said. “Katie and Johnny were dating and Billy got jealous. He could have made up some elaborate relationship in his head, and when Katie started getting serious about Johnny, it broke apart his fantasy. Who’s to say it didn’t push him over the edge and he did something silly?”

“Billy is creepy,” said Helen. “His eyes always look cold. Maybe he’s a serial killer?”

I waved away the grim thought. “Or he could just be a mean guy who got rejected and decided to get revenge.”

“What about Ranulph as a suspect?” asked Helen.

“He is a spoiled brat,” I said. “Maybe Katie got one gift too many and Ranulph got nasty about it.”

“He does have a fondness for shotguns,” said Helen. “He could have threatened Katie with one, and things got out of hand.”

“Ranulph didn’t seem worried, though,” I said. “When he was talking about Katie, he didn’t seem to care what had happened to her, and he wasn’t anxious. If he’d done something bad to her and Johnny, he’d get concerned because I was asking him questions.”

“Not if he’s a spiteful little jerk who truly thinks he can get away with whatever he likes,” said Helen. “I bet he used to pull the wings off flies when he was a kid. Now, that is how serial killers get started.”

“Stop with the serial killer theory,” I said.

“And then there’s Lady Camilla,” said Helen.

“I haven’t figured her out at all. I’ll see if I can find out any more from her today. But yesterday, when I started talking about Katie, she left the room. She’s not easy to get to open up.”

“Would she really have killed her own daughter because she wasn’t dating someone suitable?”

“These old bloodlines are particular about who marries into the family,” I said. “And it sounds like Lady Camilla disinherited Katie for dating the wrong person. She could have seen it as too much of an embarrassment. Maybe Katie and Johnny wanted to get married and Lady Camilla needed to put a stop to it.”

“Then she really is as cold as she appears if that’s the case,” said Helen.

I finished my muffin and brushed crumbs from my fingers, before filling Flipper’s bowl with food. “I’ll see what I can find out today. Maybe she’ll be in a better mood.”

“Any sign of Katie or Johnny since they chased away Billy?” asked Helen.

“Nothing,” I said. “Well, if you discount the useless dreams they sent me. I’m still not sure how they died. All I know, is the vehicle is a clue, but I didn’t find anything when I looked in Katie’s car.”

“See if they’re around now,” said Helen. “I haven’t heard any pipes rattling this morning, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here. They might point us towards the right suspect.”

I looked around the room. The kitchen was quiet and I couldn’t sense any ghostly presences. Flipper also wasn’t alerting me to any ghosts and was finishing the food in his bowl, although his gaze was focused on the remaining muffins on the table. He had a sweeter tooth than I did.

“I don’t think they’re here. Other than the noises we’ve heard, they only seem to appear at the garage.”

“We can’t keep hanging around there,” said Helen. “I’m sure that creep Billy was convinced we were trying to steal a car.”

“I’ll see if I can sneak back there another time and get more sense out of Katie and Johnny.” I grabbed another muffin. “I’d better get to work. If I’m late two days in a row, I’ll get the sack.”

***

Three hours later, and I was still working up the courage to ask Lady Camilla about Katie. So far, all I’d achieved was filing several heaps of paperwork that had been scattered around the study, and been refused a cup of tea when Lady Camilla had one.

I cleared my throat, determined not to let the frosty atmosphere put me off any longer. “I was wondering about the photograph I saw yesterday.”

Lady Camilla peered at me over the top of gold rimmed glasses from her seat behind her desk. “What of it?”

“I thought you might like me to make a photo montage of your family? You must have lots of wonderful pictures you’d like to see displayed.”

“That sounds vulgar. We prefer to have portraits done of family members. You will have seen the ones in the hallway.”

“And they are lovely,” I said. “But perhaps something more informal might be nice as well. You can have dozens of photographs on a large canvas. We could select them together, and I can have it printed for you.”

“No. Too modern for my taste,” said Lady Camilla. “I wouldn’t know where to put such a thing.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to see pictures of your children in front of you?”

Lady Camilla removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I already have those.”

I swallowed my nerves. “Especially with Katie not being around. You must miss her.”

“She was my daughter. Why would I not miss her?”

“So, a photo montage might help with recalling the good memories you have of her,” I said.

“I have all the memories I need of my daughter,” said Lady Camilla. “I do not require some poorly taped together group of photographs to remember her by.”

“It would be tasteful. It’s so easy to do these days—”

“It is not happening,” said Lady Camilla. “And I do not need you poking around looking at pictures that have nothing to do with you. If you must know, Katie was due to sit for a family portrait before she vanished. I have one of her as a child, but nothing else. That will have to do. No photographs. No memories stuck on the walls.”

“If you change your mind, I’m happy to help,” I said, seeing two dots of color flare on Lady Camilla’s cheek, and realizing I was pushing my luck.

Lady Camilla’s chair squeaked back and she stood. “I need some air.” She left the room without another word.

I opened the door and let Flipper in. “Time for me to do some snooping. You keep guard.”

Flipper shook himself and laid down, his head on his paws and his gaze on the door.

As I’d been working through the filing cabinets in the study, I’d found something curious; there was a folder marked Katie Reynold. I hadn’t been able to look at it with Lady Camilla in the room, but now she was gone, I pulled it out and opened it. Inside, were papers and contracts from a firm of private investigators.

I hadn’t expected to see these. I leafed through the documents, seeing information on traces the firm had run, as they attempted to locate Katie.

There were too many documents to look at, so I made some copies and stashed the originals back in the cabinet.

Would Lady Camilla have bothered to employ a private investigator to find her daughter if she had anything to do with her death? It didn’t seem likely. Perhaps she really was worried about what happened to Katie but didn’t like to show it.

Lady Camilla said Katie was dead, but hadn’t said anything about where she was buried. Why would she be searching for her daughter if she knew for sure she was dead?

***

“Are you certain this outfit is suitable for my date with Henry?” Helen twirled in front of me, wearing a soft azure-blue dress and nude heels that made her legs look ridiculously long. Her blonde curls had been clipped off her face, and her blue eyes sparkled.

“You look lovely,” I said. “He’ll be blown away.”

“I don’t want to look like I’m making too much effort,” said Helen. “But I want him to know what he could be getting if he plays his cards right.”

“Have you starched his shirts for him?” I teased. “That will impress Henry the most. The way to a man’s heart is through a stiff collar.”

“It was the first thing I did,” said Helen. “I wanted to show him what a good housewife I’ll be for some lucky guy.”

“And you’re sure you’re not getting ahead of yourself?” I grinned, as I patted my leg and Flipper came to my side.

“Well, he is awfully nice,” said Helen. “There’s no harm in having a few daydreams. He could be the man I’ve been waiting for.”

“Or he could be a cheeky user who’s simply after someone to sort out his laundry for him for free.”

“It was only a few shirts,” said Helen. “It’s not as if he asked me to wash his boxer shorts for him.”

“If he ever does, make sure you show him the door,” I said. “You need a man who can wash his own underpants.”

“I’m not going to argue about that,” said Helen. “And since you and Flipper are going to be my chaperones for the evening, this is going to be extremely innocent.”

“I’m only coming out with you so we can talk about what I found,” I said, as I led the way out of the kitchen and into the garden.

“What did you discover from Lady Camilla about Katie?” asked Helen, as she pulled the front door shut behind her.

“She wouldn’t tell me anything,” I said. “But I found a file of paperwork from a private investigation firm. Lady Camilla hired them to discover what happened to Katie.”

Helen raised her eyebrows. “Why would she do that?”

“Because she’s worried about what happened to her,” I said. “It suggests she wasn’t involved in Katie or Johnny’s deaths because she doesn’t know what happened to them.”

“Or she’s putting on a good act,” said Helen. “Maybe she knows exactly what happened and paid a PI to make it look good. Make her seem like a concerned mother desperate to find her missing daughter and bring her home.”

“Would she be that devious?” I asked. “I read through the papers I copied and Lady Camilla has spent thousands of pounds with this firm.”

“You know her better than I do since I’m confined to below stairs,” said Helen, pulling an exaggerated frown. “She could be hiding the fact she killed her daughter and the unsuitable boyfriend.”

I rubbed my forehead. “Lady Camilla is emotionally distant and cold, but I think beneath her ice-maiden veneer, she’s worried about what had happened.”

“Oh, look, there’s Henry!” Helen waved wildly at the figure approaching us across the lawn.

“Just remember, play it cool,” I cautioned her, knowing I was wasting my breath.

“Henry! Over here!” Helen grinned, and sped up. “How exciting, our first proper date.”

Flipper growled and his hackles rose as Henry approached. That was unlike him, Flipper liked everybody.

“Don’t worry, it’s just Helen’s new boyfriend,” I said to Flipper. “She won’t forgive you if you scare him off by growling, though. But Helen won’t forget about you because she’s found herself a man, you’ll still get plenty of doggie treats from her.”

Flipper stopped growling and his tail wagged at the mention of doggie treats. It didn’t take much to win him over.

I slowed my pace, giving Helen and Henry a chance to say hello to each other without me interfering.

Henry kissed Helen on the cheek and presented her with a single yellow rose. His gaze went to me and he smiled. “I’d have brought you a flower as well if I’d known you’d be accompanying us.”

“Don’t mind me,” I said. “Flipper just needs his nightly walk. I won’t be getting in your way.

“You can come with us if you want.” Helen discreetly shook her head at me.

I got the point and didn’t want to be the third wheel in this new relationship. “Oh no, I think Flipper wants to go in that direction.” I pointed over my shoulder. “But have fun the two of you.”

Helen grinned at me, before linking her arm through Henry’s and walking away.

I turned and went in the opposite direction, letting Flipper lead the walk. It was the first time I’d explored the garden properly and was interested to see what was in the fifty acres of land Lady Camilla owned.

Most of it was laid to lawn, with established trees dotted around. Birds sung in the branches, as the last of the late evening sun crept down to meet the treeline.

Flipper paused and sniffed the air, before dashing ahead of me towards a small wooded area. He’d probably caught the scent of a pheasant or rabbit and decided to investigate. He never harmed them, but he did enjoy a good chase.

I sped up, attempting to keep up with Flipper, and found myself in the middle of a neatly tended wood. “Flipper, where are you?” I looked around in the dim light, feeling a chill run over me as the warmth from the sun no longer kissed my skin. Flipper was nowhere to be seen.

“Stop messing around. You never know, that horrible Ranulph might have planted animal traps in here.” And if he had, I’d shove him into one. Those things were barbaric.

I heard the rustle of leaves to my right, and Flipper shot out just ahead of me.

“There you are. Slow down!”

Flipper ignored me and shot ahead again, jumping straight over a wooden fence.

“Come out of there. If there’s a fence in your way, you’re not meant to jump over it.” I stopped by the edge of the fence and peered around.

Flipper looked over his shoulder at me and began to dig.

I groaned as I pulled myself over the fence and dropped to the other side. “Don’t tell me, you’ve found some buried treasure you just have to uncover.”

Clods of earth shot out from where Flipper was digging as I hurried towards him.

“Lady Camilla won’t like if you mess up her garden.” I stopped by Flipper’s side, narrowly avoiding getting a shoe full of earth.

Flipper looked up at me, dirt covering his muzzle.

“Fun’s over.” I grabbed his collar, but he dug his paws in and refused to move.

I’d been in this situation before, and there was no point in fighting Flipper; when he found something he wanted to dig up, he just kept on going.

I took a few steps back and looked around. The area had been left for nature, with thick patches of nettles, blobs of cow parsley, and long tufts of grass dotted about. I couldn’t hear anything other than Flipper’s continual digging. The quiet should have been calming, but I found it a little eerie. I glanced at the trees overhead, expecting to see a tree spirit glaring down at me - or a ghost - that wouldn’t have been such a shock. But there was nothing in the branches.

“You must come out of here!” Manfred came running through the trees towards me, his cheeks bright red and his carefully gelled hair standing up in a messy peak.

“Is something wrong?” I asked him.

“Lady Camilla wishes to use the garden.”

“There’s plenty to choose from,” I said.

“She doesn’t want a staff presence when she’s out here,” said Manfred, as he stopped by the fence and wiped sweat from his brow. “I saw you running in here just as I was going to round everybody up. You need to get back to the house.”

“If I stay in these trees while she’s out here, Lady Camilla won’t even notice I’m around.”

“She knows everything.” Manfred cast a worried look over his shoulder. “It’s time for you to go inside.”

“But Flipper needs his walk.” I looked back to where Flipper was still digging.

Manfred snapped his fingers at me. “Get back to the house.”

I pressed my lips together and glared at him. “Fine. We’re going. But don’t you think it’s a bit ridiculous that no one else can be in the garden when Lady Camilla’s out here?”

“I never question my employer,” said Manfred. He gestured for me to move away from the trees.

I beckoned Flipper to me, and he reluctantly left his digging, and we climbed over the fence.

“There’s nothing in there for you anyway.” Manfred smoothed his hair down. “It gets wild the farther you go from the fence. It’s meant for wildlife, not humans.”

“I guess I’ll never get to see that for myself,” I said.

“Our employer is very exacting,” said Manfred. “I’m not to blame here. I’m only following orders.”

“There’s exacting and then there’s...” I waved my hands about.

Manfred raised a dark eyebrow at me. “Best not to question her. Anyone who does doesn’t last for long. If you like living here, and you enjoy the work, my advice to you is to be quiet. Smile and nod and get on with the things you’re asked to do. I enjoy my time here, but many have fallen afoul of Lady Camilla because they asked too many questions, and don’t agree with her way of doing things.”

That comment raised my interest. Would that harshness have extended to a misbehaving daughter? “Some of her rules are ridiculous.”

Manfred nodded as we walked side-by-side out of the trees. “She’s an eccentric one. But I think she does it because she feels the need to exert power over people. And she’s lonely. So many people have left her. Lady Camilla is concerned that if she doesn’t hold on tightly to those left around her, they will go as well.”

“So she holds onto them tightly by being horrible?”

“I wouldn’t call it horrible,” said Manfred. “But she has a particular way of doing things. And she’s not flexible.”

“You’re telling me,” I said.

Manfred gave a discreet shrug. “I’d better go. Didn’t I see Helen walking off in the other direction with Lord Davenport?”

I nodded. “I don’t know where they were going, though. She could be anywhere by now.”

“Oh dear, Lady Camilla will be disappointed if she spots them.” Manfred hurried off ahead of me, and I stomped towards the house, still smarting at the way he’d ordered me around.

When we got back, I kicked mud off my shoes and then wiped Flipper’s paws clean. Didn’t want Lady Camilla complaining about dirt on the floor and insisting Flipper go in the kennels as punishment.

Lady Camilla and her stupid rules. Despite what Manfred told me, I wasn’t going to bow down and agree to every eccentricity she had.

And I was going to find out what happened to Katie and Johnny, even if that meant ignoring Lady Camilla’s orders and risking losing this job.

Chapter 9

It was the end of another long day working with Lady Camilla. For the first hour, I’d attempted to engage her in conversation, but had to admit defeat and accept I was going to get the cold shoulder from her. Maybe she was angry because I’d spent time in the gardens last night without her permission. Well, I wasn’t intending to apologize for that. Keeping fifty acres to yourself was selfish.

After Lady Camilla allowed me to finish my duties, I stalked to the kitchen with Flipper. I’d missed Helen that morning, she was either late getting up, or extra early, so I hadn’t had an opportunity to find out how her date with Henry went.

As I entered the kitchen, the huge smile on Helen’s face suggested it went well.

“Tell me everything,” I said, as I sat at the kitchen table and eased off my shoes. “Is Henry as wonderful as you thought he was?”

“He is rather lovely. He’s interesting and funny. I like him.” Helen turned from the stove and grinned at me. “And I guess it won’t do any harm that I’m going on another date with him this weekend.”

“Two dates in a week,” I said. “He must like you.”

“He seems to,” said Helen. “But he was a proper gentleman, he didn’t try any funny business when we were out together.”

“I’m guessing Manfred discovered you both and ended your date early, though.”

“Oh yes, the butler.” Helen grimaced. “He tried to chase me inside. But rather than abandoning the date, we walked out of the grounds and into Henry’s. There’s a low fence dividing the estates, so it was easy enough to get there. That way, Lady Camilla had nothing to complain about. We weren’t messing up the view on her grounds because we were on Henry’s land.”

“I bet she found something to complain about,” I said. “She’s barely spoken to me today.”

“You didn’t learn anything more about Katie?” Helen took the pot off the stove, and placed it on a heatproof mat in the middle of the table.

“I didn’t even bother to ask,” I said. “I did have another look through the papers I copied. The private investigation firm didn’t find anything about what happened to Katie and Johnny. They just vanished.”

Helen placed plates and cutlery on the table before ladling out rich smelling tomato pasta. “They must have needed to access money before they died. Surely there’s a record of their bank accounts.”

“There’s no mention of it in these papers,” I said. “They could have done cash in hand work, but neither of them appears to have done any more legal work. That would be easy to trace.”

“So what does that mean?” asked Helen, as she sat down.

“It suggests they died here,” I said. “And with their ghosts in the garage, and them trying to tell me something about the cars, I reckon they never left the estate. Maybe they were planning to elope together, but someone found out, and put a stop to it.”

Helen shook her head. “How awful. They’d found each other, but because it wasn’t approved of, they didn’t get a chance at happiness.”

“Since I can’t get anything more out of Lady Camilla, perhaps you’d like to try with Henry.”

“Try what with Henry?”

“Asking more questions about Katie,” I said. “Since they dated, they must have been close. He might have some inside scoop. Maybe even know about Johnny. Any information he has could be useful.”

Helen wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that’s an appropriate second-date topic of conversation. I don’t want him to think I’m obsessing over his ex-girlfriends. Although, I would be interested to know who he dated in the past. I bet they’ve all been really glamorous.”

“None of them will compare to you,” I said, giving Helen a grin. “And I’m sure he won’t mind answering a few questions about Katie.”

“I’m not sure,” said Helen. “Maybe I can leave the questioning to you?”

“That would look odd, me asking him questions about Katie. You’ll be able to do it easily. Just drop him a few questions and see how he reacts.”

“How are you expecting him to react?”

I focused on my food, not wanting to make eye contact with Helen. “Well, maybe their relationship didn’t end well.”

“You want to make my new boyfriend a suspect in Katie and Johnny’s deaths?” Helen lowered her fork, and stared at me until I raised my gaze to meet hers.

“I didn’t say that,” I said. “But you don’t know him.”

“I know him well enough,” said Helen. “Henry can’t have had anything to do with it. He talks about Katie affectionately.”

“Which should make him a suspect,” I said. “He could still have feelings for her. And if she rebuffed him, he might have gotten mad and done something in anger.”

“That wonderful man doesn’t have a mean bone in his body,” said Helen swiftly. “I’m not going to jeopardize this relationship so you can poke your nose into his private business.”

“I don’t want you to jeopardize your relationship with Henry either,” I said. “But you don’t even have a relationship with him. You hardly know the guy.”

“I know him well enough to realize I want to keep seeing him,” said Helen. “And I don’t want to go messing things up so soon.”

“There’ll be plenty of time to do that later on when he realizes what an airhead you are.” I regretted the words the second they came out of my mouth.

Helen’s fork clattered to her plate, and tomato sauce sprayed across the table. “I am not an airhead.”

I tipped my head back and let out a sigh. “No, I didn’t mean that. But you’re not being rational when it comes to Henry. We need to make sure we don’t have to add him to the suspect list. He could be involved in two murders.”

“And he could also have nothing to do with any of this.” Helen glared at me. “You shouldn’t always assume the worst in people.”

“I don’t!”

Flipper whined, and paced around the table. He hated it when I argued with anyone.

“Why don’t you stick with the suspects you’ve already got? If none of them turn up trumps, then you can start trying to mess things up with me and Henry,” said Helen.

I swirled my fork around my plate, stabbing aimlessly at the pasta. “I guess I can focus on Lady Camilla, Ranulph, and Billy. It might be one of them.”

“There you go, three plausible suspects to focus on,” said Helen. “So you can stop picking on my Henry.”

“He’s not even yours yet,” I said.

“But he might be,” said Helen. “And then things will get awkward when you go accusing him of killing Katie and Johnny. It means you might not be able to be my bridesmaid.”

“Now you really are being stupid.”

“There you go again, with the airhead insinuations.” Helen jumped to her feet and threw her knife down. “You’re only grumpy because Zach’s not around to cheer you up.”

“This has nothing to do with Zach,” I said. “Besides, he’s not that far away. I only saw him a day or two ago.”

“Still, you get all miserable when he’s missing from your life,” said Helen. “Why don’t you go and visit him on your day off? You might be less obsessed with my relationship if you focus on your own.”

“I’m not obsessed with your imaginary relationship!” I snapped.

Helen glowered at me. “I’ve lost my appetite.” She turned on her heel and stomped out of the kitchen.

“Helen, wait!” But I was too late, she had already gone.

Flipper rested his head on my knee and licked tomato sauce from my fingers. “I didn’t handle that well, did I?”

Flipper placed a paw over his nose and gazed at me with his large blue eyes.

“Okay, not you as well. I messed up.” I fed him a piece of pasta, my own appetite also gone.

Maybe I was making a mistake when it came to Henry. There were plenty of other suspects to look into. But I didn’t want Helen getting hurt if she fell for him and he was involved. He did seem like a nice guy, but Helen was so quick to jump into things without thinking about everything first. I wanted to make sure that when Helen found the right guy, there was no reason for them not to be together for life. Especially if that reason had anything to do with murder.

I ate a few bites of pasta, but it tasted like cardboard to me, so I cleared the plates and found a huge tub of chocolate ice cream in the freezer. That would make things better.

Chapter 10

The next morning, Helen’s absence in the kitchen made my stomach sink. I hoped she wasn’t avoiding me after our argument.

I stood by the kettle, a chocolate ice-cream headache lingering behind my eyes, as Flipper watched me with a look of admonishment on his face.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I know I need to make up with Helen. And I said things I shouldn’t have, last night.”

Flipper tipped his head to one side as he continued to watch me.

“Yes, I do feel bad about that.” We rarely fought, and to argue over a man was silly. Henry was nice, and if Helen trusted him, then I would as well. I had to find a way to say sorry for taking my frustration with Lady Camilla out on her. I could make dinner for a change, but that would be more like a punishment, given how terrible I was at cooking.

I made myself a quick cup of tea and gave Flipper his breakfast. One thing I would do was not pursue Henry as a suspect in Katie and Johnny’s deaths. Right now, I was more interested in Katie’s immediate family.

Since the ghosts had chased away Billy, I didn’t believe his brash words about Katie dating him. She had more sense than that, so didn’t consider him top of my list of suspects. That left me with Lady Camilla and Ranulph.

I drank my tea, ate a piece of toast, and hurried to the study to get to work with Lady Camilla.

When I entered the room it was empty, and Lady Camilla was not sitting in her usual regal, stiff pose behind her desk. I found a note with instructions instead.

I sighed as I saw the pile of dusty files she had left me to sort through. I never understood why people hoarded old paperwork. So far, the files I’d pulled apart had things in them dating back over fifty years. Most of the people who’d written the correspondence would be dead. They wouldn’t be expecting to hear from Lady Camilla after all this time.

I shook my head as I sat down in the seat and opened the first file.

Two hours later, I heard a gentle tap on the study door. The door opened to reveal Manfred. “I wondered if you might like some tea?”

“Oh, yes, that would be lovely.” This was a nice surprise. Lady Camilla never offered me a cup of tea when Manfred bought her one.

“Well, with her Ladyship out of the house, I figured you might appreciate it.” Manfred carried in a tray with a pretty floral teapot on it, and a single bone china cup in a saucer. There was also a small plate of chocolate cookies. My mood began to improve.

“It’s just what I need.” I flipped the file in front of me shut, and smiled at Manfred.

“I do think Lady Camilla is a little mean never letting you have a cup of tea when I bring her one.” Manfred placed the tray down and took a step back. “But she doesn’t like staff mingling with the rest of the household. She believes if staff and employers become too familiar, it leads to trouble.”

I looked at the fragile cup and saucer. “Are you sure this will be okay? I don’t want to be accused of contaminating her best china.”

“Don’t worry, you’re drinking out of the reserve teacups.” Manfred gave me a small smile. “She never sees this one. This can be our little secret.” He backed away to the door.

“Do you want to join me?” I asked, gesturing to an empty seat. “Other than Flipper, I’ve been on my own all morning.”

“Oh, I don’t want to disturb you from your work.” Manfred half turned towards the door, but I could see he was tempted, his eyes on the chocolate cookies.

“It will be nice to have company,” I said. “And I can’t drink a whole pot of tea on my own.” I could, but Manfred didn’t need to know that.

“Well, perhaps I can take my five-minute break now.” Manfred opened the door. “Be back in a moment.”

I swirled the tea in the teapot, letting it brew, as I waited for Manfred to return. Despite our run in when I was in the woods with Flipper, I’d not spoken more than a few dozen words to Manfred. He kept to himself and was never around when I ate dinner with Helen. But he could have useful information about the family, including what happened to Katie.

Manfred returned with a large white mug in his hand, emblazoned on the side were the words: Butlers do it best in the buff.

I pointed at the mug. “Guessing that’s not a present from Lady Camilla?”

He grinned at me as he placed the mug down and poured out the tea. “My son’s joke. He thinks it’s so funny I have to wear what he calls a penguin suit, to work every day. He got me this mug on my fiftieth birthday.”

I poured the tea as Manfred took a seat, and then joined him on the other side of the desk.

“How you settling in?” asked Manfred, as he offered me the plate of cookies, before taking two for himself. “Hope Lady Camilla hasn’t scared you off.”

“I have had one or two doubts,” I said. “As I mentioned in the woods yesterday, some of her rules are a bit odd.”

“Yes, and she is a stickler for them,” said Manfred. “But, as I said, keep your head down and don’t answer back, and she’ll get used to you. When she does, she mellows.”

“How long have you worked for the family?”

“Coming up to ten years,” said Manfred. “I apprenticed under the former butler, so I learned all about Lady Camilla’s interesting regulations early on. I was offered the position when it became available. And it suits me. It’s a lovely place to live, and when Lady Camilla gets to know you, she has her gentler side.”

“I look forward to seeing that,” I said. “How about the rest of the family? You must know them well too.”

“I know Sir Ranulph well.” Manfred glanced over his shoulder before continuing. “Don’t say anything, but Lady Camilla is rather disappointed in him. He spends his evenings out drinking and then his days in bed. And when he is up, he’s chasing around the countryside shooting anything that moves, all in the name of sport, or speeding down country lanes in one of the many cars the family owns. Lady Camilla is hoping he’ll find some suitable role to take on, and quash this childish behavior, but she’s not willing to give him any responsibility when it comes to this estate.”

I took a bite of my cookie. “From what I’ve seen of Ranulph, he doesn’t deserve any responsibility.”

“I hope he hasn’t done anything too obnoxious to you.” Manfred took a sip of his tea.

“Guns, lewd propositions and fast cars have been involved.” I raised my hand as a look of shock passed across Manfred’s face. “But, don’t worry, he hasn’t scared me away.”

“Hopefully he will mature, he’s still a young man.”

“And what about Katie?” I stared intently at Manfred to see how he reacted to hearing that name.

His mug froze halfway to his mouth. “You know about Katie?”

“Lady Camilla told me about her,” I said. “And Ranulph as well. In fact, he offered to give me her car.”

Manfred frowned. “That’s not his to give away. I hope you declined the offer.”

“Of course I did,” I said. “I wasn’t willing to play nice with Ranulph to get a car.”

Manfred’s frown deepened. “That young man has a lot of growing up to do.”

I nodded. “Did you know Katie as well as Ranulph?”

Manfred drank his tea, his hand shaking as the mug lowered. “I did. She was a sweet young lady.”

“And do you know what happened to her?”

“She disappeared.”

“Did she move away?”

“No, but she wasn’t happy here.”

“She decided to leave, then?” I finished my cookie, my gaze still intent on Manfred as he shifted in his seat.

“No one knows,” said Manfred. “Lady Camilla was insistent Katie marry into another traditional family. And Katie tried her best. She dated the men her mother put before her, hoping she would find somebody suitable. But she never did, although she let them down gently, never wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings. But she was looking for love, you see, and that was something Lady Camilla couldn’t understand.”

“Sounds like Katie confided in you.”

Manfred’s bottom lip trembled. “She didn’t have anybody else to talk to. Her father died when she was a teenager, and she had no other father figure in her life. I don’t like to assume I was that, but she would often come to the servants’ kitchen and talk to me. And when she did, Katie was adamant she wanted to break the traditional ways of this family and drag it into the twenty-first century. And, although I was cautious about some of her ideas, I did agree with many of them. She had a vision for this estate, a way of transforming it. It was something Lady Camilla would not have approved of.”

“Did Katie meet somebody she wanted to be with?” I asked.

Manfred raised his eyebrows. “For somebody who has never met Katie, you know a lot about her.”

“Call it intuition,” I said. “If she’s as nice as you say she is, she deserved to be happy.”

Manfred smiled. “You’re right, she did. And she did find somebody. Katie trained to be a lawyer, and the law firm she was working in was where she met Johnny. She tried to hide it at first, but she fell for him hard. They dated in secret, although I did get to meet him a couple of times. He was a decent young man, respectful, and adored Katie.”

“Did they run away together?”

“They vanished together,” said Manfred as he tugged at his bottom lip. “Next thing I heard, they were both dead. Well, at least that’s what Lady Camilla believes. Katie and Johnny disappeared. But there is no record of where they are or what they’re doing if they are still alive. Which leads me to one sad conclusion.”

“They died.” I sighed. “Do you know how they died?”

“No one talks about it,” said Manfred. “I wondered about finding a copy of Katie’s death certificate, put my mind at rest, but I don’t like to interfere in family business. And as fond as I was of Katie, she wasn’t my family. Ranulph hinted at the possibility of alcohol being involved, but Katie wasn’t a drinker. She would have a glass of champagne at a social occasion, but always said it gave her a terrible headache.”

The air around me chilled, and Flipper lifted his head from his paw and stared at me.

Manfred shivered, and clutched his mug to his chest. “You’d think winter had suddenly arrived. Here we are, in late summer, and the house is freezing. Would you like me to light a fire for you?” He pointed to the ornate fireplace dominating one wall.

“No, I’m fine.” I tried to keep my gaze on him, despite the fact Katie had just appeared by his side. “So, you were saying about Katie, something to do with alcohol?”

“I can’t believe her death was due to drinking too much. And, I think until she’s actually found, no one will know what happened to her. I can’t believe she’s truly gone.”

“Sounds like you cared for her.” I watched as Katie placed a hand on Manfred’s shoulder and smiled down at him. It seemed the feeling was mutual.

“She was such a lovely girl. I have two sons, but always wanted a daughter of my own. I thought of Katie as the daughter I never had. She was so kind and thoughtful. She remembered people’s birthdays, even us servants. And then she found love, and she blossomed. She came into herself when she found Johnny. I do hope they are doing well, and we are wrong to assume she is dead. Even if Katie and Johnny have decided to cut ties with this family, I wish them well. But I would like to see her again.”

“Have you got any reason to believe Katie and Johnny are no longer alive?” I asked.

Manfred rubbed his chin. “The lack of letters and cards. Katie was excellent at keeping in touch. She studied law at Cambridge University and was there for four years, but she always wrote. Sometimes she’d send me funny little postcards she picked up in tourist gift stores in the city. She was always trying to get me to smile. She said I was too serious. Although, this job does call for being rather serious.”

“When was the last time you received a letter from Katie?”

“Oh, must be at least three years ago,” said Manfred. “She had a weekend away with some friends and sent me a postcard of the seaside. I used to look forward to the mail every morning, expecting to find something from her after she vanished. Even today, after all this time, I still hope there will be a little message from her. Something, anything, to let me know things are okay with her and she’s happy.”

“And what about her boyfriend, Johnny?” I looked over at Katie and saw how sad she appeared.

“A nice young man, well-spoken and gentle. Lady Camilla banned him from the house after his second visit. She saw him as a threat to her plans to marry Katie off to some ancient, landed member of the royal family. She had to get rid of any competition quickly. But she was too late when it came to Johnny. They were already in love and nothing would put Katie off. No matter how many times Lady Camilla threatened to disinherit her.”

“You heard her say that to Katie?”

“I get to hear a lot of things Lady Camilla says. I sometimes think she forgets I’m in the room. I can be discreet when I need to be.” Manfred winked at me. “But Lady Camilla argued with Katie constantly.”

“You don’t think she’d do anything to harm Katie? If she wanted her to marry into a wealthy family, but Katie rebelled against her choice of man, maybe Lady Camilla saw it as too much of a humiliation to let her be with anybody else.”

“Goodness, what a thought.” Manfred placed his mug on the tray and fiddled with a button on his white shirt. “Lady Camilla has traditional values, but I don’t see her being malicious towards her own family. Certainly not malicious even to kill.”

“Maybe her desire to keep traditions going overcame her love for her daughter,” I said.

Manfred shook his head. “She can be sharp, but she’d never hurt Katie.”

“But you think someone did?” I leaned forward in my seat.

Manfred glanced at the ceiling and then returned to fiddling with his shirt button. “I may have been involved with her getting into trouble.”

My eyes widened. “What did you do?”

“I helped Katie and her young man meet up on occasion.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding. I found myself warming to Manfred. Behind his penguin suit and slicked back hair, there was a kind man.

“How did you help her?”

“They would go on date nights, and I would cover for Katie, say I had arranged for her to visit a friend,” said Manfred. “I don’t think Lady Camilla suspected anything. But if Katie’s involvement with Johnny led to something bad happening to her, I’ll never forgive myself. I should have chased him away as I was ordered to do. Katie might still be here if I had done so.”

“You couldn’t have known things would go wrong,” I said. “And it sounds like it was serious between Katie and Johnny.”

“There was talk of marriage,” said Manfred, giving me a sad smile. “It’s why so many people believe they eloped. Lady Camilla would never have permitted them to marry.”

My gaze rested on the partially concealed photograph of Katie still blocked by a stack of papers. I wished I could tell Manfred the truth. It didn’t seem fair giving him false hope to cling to that she was still alive. But there was no way of telling him that her ghost was currently resting a hand on his shoulder.

Manfred cleared his throat and wiped a hand across his eyes. “Well, I must get back to work, and so must you. Even though Lady Camilla is not in residence, she still expects me to do my duty.”

“Thanks for the tea,” I said to Manfred as he headed towards the door. “And it’s nice to know Katie had someone she could rely on when she lived here. You supported her when she needed it, and I’m sure she appreciated that.” I risked a quick glance at Katie, and she nodded at me.

“Yes, she felt it very much when her mother fought with her. Katie was always sensitive, and I worried she was too fragile to survive this family. I just hope I’m not right in that assumption.” Manfred left the room and gently shut the door behind him.

I toyed with a pen on the desk as I mulled over his comments. Katie had enemies in this family and had gone against her strict mother’s wishes. Despite what Manfred said, that was a good motive for murder. And then there was Ranulph and Billy. I should have asked more questions about their relationships with Katie, but Manfred had been getting upset.

I looked at Katie and smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. I’ll help you find some peace and sort out whatever is making you and Johnny stay here.”

Katie pointed out the window in the direction of the garage, her image already fading away.

“I know, it has something to do with the garage. I just wish you’d tell me what it was.” I leaned back in my seat and let out a sigh. I needed to talk to someone about all these leads, but my glum mood returned when I realized my best friend wasn’t even speaking to me, and she was just whom I needed.

I glanced at Katie, but she’d vanished, leaving behind nothing more than a chilled feeling in the air. I hoped I wouldn’t have to try to solve these murders on my own.

Chapter 11

As soon as the working day was over, I dashed out of the study with Flipper, and out the front door of the house. I was determined to make it up with Helen, and I knew there was one surefire way to get back in her good books.

I used the spare set of keys I had for her car and sped through the narrow lanes to Lavenham, the nearest village. As I reached the village and cruised past ancient timber buildings, and bright pots of late summer flowers, some of the tension left my shoulders. The village was small, with half-a-dozen stores, the usual pub, and a post office that doubled as a tearoom.

One little store which caught my eye was a local confectioner called Mrs. Fudge and Mr. Chocolate. The window was full of boxes of treats, and the storefront was decorated in warm creams and dark chocolatey browns. This would be Helen’s dream store.

I parked the car, left the window open for Flipper to get plenty of air, and hurried to the store, a bell jingling over my head as I pushed open the door.

“Anything I can help you with?” A short, round-faced woman wearing a blue-checked apron over a bright-red dress smiled at me.

“I’m in need of cookies and ice cream,” I said.

“I can help with that. I’m Mrs. Fudge, known in the village for my love of chocolate.” She patted her stomach and grinned. “Any particular flavors you want?”

“The more chocolate the better,” I said, as I looked around the store. It was as if I’d walked into a dream, the shelves full of sweets, a rich tang of cocoa in the air, and a batch of cookies on the wooden counter in front of me.

“You’re in luck. I’ve been trying a new recipe for triple-chocolate fudge cookies. I’ve got two batches left,” said Mrs. Fudge.

I eyed the large, chocolate-studded cookies beneath the counter and my mouth watered. “They look ideal.”

“Would you like to sample one?”

“Yes, please.” I rubbed my hands together in anticipation.

Mrs. Fudge broke off a piece of cookie, placed it on a white plate, and handed it to me.

I inhaled the heady scent of rich cocoa, and a smile crossed my face.

“It looks like you approve, and you haven’t even tasted it yet.” Mrs. Fudge beamed at me.

“My friend is going to love these.” I lifted the cookie to my mouth. There was an explosion of rich chocolatey flavors on my tongue. And, as the chocolate chips melted, I knew all would be forgiven with Helen after she’d sampled these.

“Will they do?” asked Mrs. Fudge, a twinkle in her dark eyes.

“They’re perfect,” I said.

“I’ll put them in a bag for you,” said Mrs. Fudge. “Is it your friend’s birthday?”

“No, these are a sorry-for-being-an-idiot present,” I said.

Mrs. Fudge raised her eyebrows. “We’ve all had plenty of those moments. Ice cream will go perfectly with these cookies. I know you said you can never have too much chocolate, but you need something to offset the richness. We have a local dairy that makes small batches of ice cream. The Vanilla Dream flavor will be ideal. And you can even make cookie ice-cream sandwiches with it.”

This was a woman after my own heart. “I’ll take some of the ice cream as well.”

Mrs. Fudge beamed again. “Excellent choices. No matter what you and your friend have argued about, it will all be forgotten once you’ve tried these flavor combinations.”

I nodded and hoped Mrs. Fudge was right. I hated it when we weren’t speaking to each other. It felt like a vital part of me was missing. And as much as I loved Flipper, he wasn’t all that good at giving me advice about what to do in tricky situations.

I paid for the cookies and ice cream before leaving the store, with a promise to come back and sample more of Mrs. Fudge’s delicious treats.

Flipper was fast asleep on the backseat of the car when I returned, but I kept the food away from him, just in case he was tempted to sample it for himself.

A quick dash back to the house, and I was in the kitchen, shrugging out of my jacket just as Helen burst through the kitchen door. In her hands was a large cake tin.

“I’m sorry,” we said at the same time.

Helen gave me a cautious smile and held the tin out towards me. “I didn’t mean to say all those things about you and Zach.”

“And I didn’t mean to accuse your new boyfriend of killing anyone,” I said. “You know him better than I do. And if you trust him, then so do I.”

Helen placed the tin on the kitchen table and ran forward to give me a hug. “He’s just so lovely. But I let my emotions get the better of me. I know you were just trying to help the ghosts.”

I laughed as I clung to her. “I’m sure he is lovely. You’ll be very happy together.”

Helen pulled away from me. “I made some macaroons. I know how much you love them.”

“I didn’t make you anything, you’ll be glad to know. But I found an amazing store in the village. How do homemade cookies and ice cream sound? The genius store owner suggested we make ice-cream cookie sandwiches.”

Helen clapped her hands together. “Looks like we’re having dessert for dinner.”

I sat at the table, the tension between us gone, and made a start on building the ice-cream and triple-chocolate sandwiches, as Helen collected plates and drinks and made some tea.

“I had an interesting conversation today with Manfred,” I said. “He and Katie were close. He even helped her to keep seeing Johnny after he’d been banned from the house.”

“That’s surprising,” said Helen, as she sat down and placed mugs of tea on the table. “He seems like such a stickler for Lady Camilla’s rules.”

“I think he bends them more than she realizes,” I said. “But he thinks Katie’s alive. I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise. Katie even appeared when we were in the study, and she seemed to care about Manfred too.”

“That doesn’t get us any closer to figuring out what happened to Katie and Johnny.” Helen closed her eyes as she sank her teeth into the ice-cream sandwich. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted. It even beats my cookies.”

“They’re not that good,” I said, although they were pretty incredible.

“They are,” said Helen. “I’m going to have to find this store for myself. See if I can get the recipe for these.”

Flipper looked up from where he was snoozing on the floor and began to whine. The pipes in the wall started thudding, and Katie and Johnny stepped through into the kitchen, dropping the room temperature by about ten degrees.

“Guessing we’ve got company,” said Helen, not taking her attention from her food.

“You guessed right,” I said, before turning to Katie and Johnny as I licked chocolate from my fingers. “We’re a bit stuck here. All we keep discovering are more suspects. Any chance you can help us to figure out how you both died?”

“And who did it,” said Helen.

Johnny mimed driving a car.

“We figured out that bit,” I said to him. “We know your deaths have something to do with the car in the garage.”

“If you weren’t driving,” said Helen, her gaze going around the room, “could somebody have hit you with a car? Perhaps you were out walking along narrow lanes and someone didn’t see you in time.”

Katie and Johnny both shook their heads.

“They don’t like your theory,” I said. “Do either of you have any idea who was involved in your deaths?”

Katie nodded and pointed at Helen. She then turned, pointed at Johnny, and shook her head.

“I think Katie’s telling me it wasn’t a man who killed them,” I said. “She keeps pointing at you.”

“It was a stunning blonde woman?” Helen smiled at me.

Katie wrinkled her nose and waved her hands in the air.

“Maybe not so stunning,” I said.

Katie nodded.

“It was definitely a woman who killed you?” I asked her.

Another nod from Katie.

“Which leaves only Lady Camilla in the frame,” said Helen. “And we know she’s been searching for Katie and Johnny ever since they disappeared.”

“Do you suspect your mother of being involved?” I asked Katie.

She shook her head vigorously.

“But there aren’t any more female suspects,” I said. “I was thinking it was either your brother or Billy, especially after you two chased him away the other night.”

Katie shrugged and folded her arms over her chest. Johnny grimaced and copied Katie’s movements.

“They don’t seem sure about Billy,” I said to Helen. “But he’d never be mistaken for a woman, he’s too tall and muscular.”

“What about Ranulph?” asked Helen. “Look at him with your eyes squinted in the dark and he could be a woman.”

I chuckled. “Don’t let Ranulph hear you say he looks feminine, or he’ll pull another gun on us.”

Katie shook her head and lowered her gaze.

“Sounds like we need to look for a new female suspect,” said Helen. “If neither Katie nor Johnny think it was Lady Camilla, we must be missing something.”

I rubbed my forehead. “But who? I don’t know of any other family, and no one else has been to visit. Other than Henry.”

Helen shot me a sharp glare. “And we know he’s not involved.”

“That’s just what I was about to say,” I said swiftly. “We need to rethink this. We must be missing somebody. Maybe a jealous ex-girlfriend of Johnny’s?”

I saw Katie look over at Johnny, and he shook his head.

“Did your parents approve of you being with Katie?” I asked Johnny.

He nodded and took hold of Katie’s hand, a gentle smile passing over his face.

“So, if your family approved, and you don’t have any jealous ex-girlfriends wanting revenge because they lost you to Katie, then I don’t know who we need to focus on.” I stuffed a large bite of melting ice cream sandwich into my mouth, hoping the sugar would fire up my brain cells and deliver me a new suspect.

“Is there any chance you could be confused about your killer?” Helen asked. “I mean, you’re both dead, dying must be stressful.”

Katie pursed her lips, but then gave a short nod.

“It’s possible,” I said to Helen. “They are acting a bit confused. Maybe the whole car theory is wrong as well. We need to focus on people who are most likely to benefit from what happened.”

Katie shrugged again and looked at the floor. Johnny gave her a sad smile and shook his head at me.

I turned to Helen. “Ranulph is an obvious suspect, but I still wonder about Billy. He was making all sorts of unpleasant accusations about their relationship. His ego might be too big to accept he’s been found out as a liar. And, when he realized Katie and Johnny were serious, and he stood no chance, he could have been malicious enough to decide that if he couldn’t have her, no one could.”

Katie dipped her head again and her shoulders slumped. I felt a mixture of pity and irritation with both ghosts. They needed to be more helpful, or we were never going to solve their deaths.

“Unless this elusive female shows up, there’s not much else we can do,” said Helen. “Maybe one of our current suspects will point us in the right direction if they aren’t involved. They could know more about this woman.”

“And, if she does exist, we’ll have to hope she hasn’t skipped the country before we find her,” I said.

Chapter 12

The delicious dinner of ice-cream sandwiches, macaroons, and tea was gone. I licked my finger and pressed the final crumbs off the plate to savor the last tasty morsels.

“Time to go snooping?” asked Helen.

I nodded. “Billy or Ranulph?”

Helen grimaced. “They’re both awful. May as well start with Ranulph.”

I watched as Katie and Johnny faded back into the wall, and then Helen, Flipper and I left the kitchen and headed towards the forbidden main staircase.

I had to admit to feeling nervous about breaking the invisible barrier Lady Camilla enforced. One of her rules was that staff were not to go upstairs unless it was for work duties. And this was definitely not work related. In fact, it was the first time I’d gone up the staircase.

“I saw Ranulph leave the house earlier this evening,” said Helen. “I’m sure he’s not back yet. We can have a look in his bedroom and see if we can find any clues.”

I frowned, not liking the thought of spending even a second inside Ranulph’s bedroom, but it was an obvious place to look. “What are you hoping to find?”

“Could be anything in there. Have you seen the back of the car Ranulph drives?” asked Helen. “If his room is the same, then he never throws anything away. If there’s evidence to be found, it will be under a disgusting heap of unwashed clothes. We could even find Katie and Johnny decomposing in one corner.”

I wasn’t sure what I found more unpleasant, the discovery of two rotting bodies, or having to rifle through Ranulph’s dirty underpants. Both prospects made me feel queasy. “Let’s get this unpleasant task over with.”

After a quick look around to make sure Lady Camilla wouldn’t see us sneaking upstairs, we dashed up the stairs.

“Which one is his room?” I asked.

“No idea,” said Helen. “I keep as far away from him as possible.”

We tried the first couple of rooms without success. They both looked like guest rooms, neat and tidy, but not lived in.

The third door I tried revealed a pale cream and bronze colored bedroom. Several items of Lady Camilla’s clothes were scattered on a dresser. “This isn’t it.” I softly closed the bedroom door just as Helen opened the next one.

“This isn’t it either,” whispered Helen. “It’s being used as a storeroom.”

At the end of the corridor, though, we struck gold. Well, musty, unclean gold. As Helen pushed open the bedroom door, her eyes widened and she clamped her hand over her nose. “This is the most disgusting bedroom I’ve ever seen.”

I peered over her shoulder and inhaled a heady mixture of dirty clothes and body odor. “You were right about Ranulph and his inability to keep things clean.” There were heaps of clothes on the floor and an overflowing hamper in one corner. A white chest of drawers was covered in opened product bottles, and the mirror had a film of grease and dust over it.

“The man is a complete slob,” said Helen.

This would pain Helen to see such a mess, and I knew she’d be itching to clean it. “Let’s look around and see what we can find. Maybe you’re right, and he’s left some clues as to his involvement in Katie and Johnny’s deaths.”

Helen heaved a sigh as she kicked a pair of underpants out of her way, and walked into the room.

“Flipper, you wait here and be our early-warning system.” I sat him by the door. “Any noise, or if anyone comes up the stairs, you let us know.”

Flipper sat neatly on his haunches, his nose pointed at the door handle.

I patted his head and turned back to the mess.

“I’m not handling any of the pants.” Helen kicked more boxer shorts to one side.

“Agreed. The dirty underwear is out of bounds.”

“I’ll start over by the dresser,” said Helen.

“I’ll try the bedside cabinet.” I walked over, took a breath to prepare myself for whatever horrors I might find inside the cabinet, and slid open the top drawer. Inside, was a box of tissues, some baby oil, and a few dirty magazines.

I slammed the drawer shut and tried the next one. Inside, was an unopened box of tissues and an old mobile. I tried the mobile, but it was dead.

The bottom drawer was empty.

“Found anything useful?” I turned to Helen.

Helen waved her hands in the air. “I’m too distracted to focus. All I want to do is put the lids on these bottles. There are hundreds of pounds of products on here, and all spoiled and drying out because that lazy slob can’t be bothered to put the lid back on after he’s used something.”

“Leave everything as you found it,” I said. “If Ranulph thinks we’ve been snooping around, he won’t be happy.”

“I know that,” said Helen. “But I’m not putting the pants back in the same place.”

“I doubt he’ll notice those have been moved,” I said. “Anything in the drawers?” I walked over to Helen.

“Underwear and socks in the top two. Let’s see what’s in this one.” She slid open the next drawer, and we were greeted with piles of crumpled paper. Helen pulled out a couple of sheets and smoothed them out. “Credit card bills. What a surprise, Ranulph has no concept of how to manage money.”

“There are no huge debts on here,” I said, as I scanned down the credit card statement. “It looks like several are overdue, though.”

“This is his motive for killing Katie and Johnny,” said Helen. “If he’s got himself into debt, he’ll need to get his hands on all the money in the estate. Ranulph needed his sister out of the way so he could have her money.”

“Lady Camilla has millions in the bank,” I said. “And I expect her children were given healthy trust funds. I can’t see Ranulph being concerned about paying off a few hundred pounds from a card. Not concerned enough to kill his own sister anyway.”

“There could be more debt we don’t know about,” said Helen. “Maybe this is just the start. He could have run up thousands of pounds of debt on different cards and be trying to conceal it.”

“If he did, his mom would have paid those off for him. Better that than have the family name sullied in any way.”

“He could be too ashamed to reveal he’s got himself into debt.” Helen pointed to a line on the statement. “Especially when he’s buying things like inflatable adult toys.”

I shook my head, looking around the room and hoping not to spot whatever an adult inflatable toy looked like. It wouldn’t be pretty. “Let me check the closet before we leave. But we’d better not stay here much longer in case somebody hears us.”

“Or Ranulph returns and finds us in here,” said Helen, as she stuffed the bills back into the drawer. “If he did find us, he’d assume we wanted to have some fun times with him. And that’s never going to happen.”

“Agreed.” The thought of having fun times with Ranulph made my stomach flip over unhappily. I walked over to the closet and pulled open the first door to find empty hangers. Not a surprise, considering most of his clothes were on the floor.

The closet ran across the entire length of the wall, and I made my way slowly along it. I pushed aside some coats and looked into the back, but didn’t see any access panel or hiding space where Ranulph might conceal his sordid secrets.

In the last section of the closet were some women’s dresses. I gave them a brief examine, but they looked like the sort of thing Lady Camilla would wear.

“Anything of use?” asked Helen.

“Nothing.” I shut the door and turned to Helen. My gaze drifted to the bed. “How about under Ranulph’s bed?”

“There’s no way I’m looking under that bed,” said Helen, a look of horror crossing her face. “There could be all sorts of nasty things lurking. Probably all his adult toys, and I bet he’s into adult movies. I saw mention of them on one of those bills. It was for the purchase of a triple bundle of filth, so he buys his sordid stuff in bulk.”

I eyed the bed base with suspicion. I wasn’t sure I was up to the challenge of rooting around under there either and discovering Ranulph’s dirty little secrets. And one thing I could be sure of if I did go under there, it would be dirty, and I would get covered in dust.

I dropped to my knees and peered under the bed from a safe distance. There were more clothes, crumpled tissues, and a few dirty plates. I stood and brushed off my trousers, that was as close as I was going to get. “There’s nothing there.”

Helen grinned at me. “Since we’re in the mood for investigating, why don’t we see what Billy’s up to, next?”

“I’ve not seen him since Katie and Johnny chased him away,” I said. “He’s probably licking his wounds somewhere and feeling sorry for himself.”

“Bet he’s wondering what happened to him,” said Helen. “Must have freaked him out being spooked by those two.”

“I hope it did, it might make him stop telling lies,” I said, as I crept the bedroom door open and peered into the corridor. I looked back at Helen and gave her a thumbs up to show it was all clear. “It can’t do any harm to see inside his apartment.”

“So long as it’s not full of adult toys and dirty laundry, I really won’t mind what we find,” said Helen.

Chapter 13

Helen, Flipper and I hurried down the stairs and out into the garden. The light from a bright white, full moon, meant we had to keep to the shadows to avoid anyone inside the house spotting us as we crept towards Billy’s apartment.

“Look through that window,” I said to Helen, gesturing to the window by the back door.

“You look,” said Helen. “I don’t want him to see me and get accused of spying on him.”

“That’s exactly what we are doing,” I said.

Helen gestured at the window. “You do it. He might not even be home.”

I took a quick breath, grabbed the window frame, and peered inside. The window looked in on a dark room, only the light from a television screen providing any illumination. There was a high-backed chair positioned in front of the screen, and I could make out Billy’s head poking over the top of it.

“He’s home,” I said as I pulled back from the window.

“Which means we can’t go in and look around,” whispered Helen.

I bit my lip as I looked over at her. “I could go in if I had someone to cause a distraction.”

“What kind of distraction?” Helen narrowed her eyes at me.

“The kind that will get him out of his television seat and to the front door.”

“I’ll knock on the front door and ask about the noisy pipes in the kitchen, but that’s it,” said Helen. “You’re not going to convince me to charm Billy.”

“You don’t have to charm him, just get him off his backside and give me a chance to look around.”

Helen pulled an unhappy face but then nodded. “If he lays one finger on me, I’m going to make sure his fun parts are out of action for a while.”

“If he does try anything, I’ll set Flipper on him.”

“You’ve got five minutes, after that, I’m running away and leaving you on your own.”

I grinned at her as she stalked away. That was all the time I needed.

I waited until I heard the sound of Helen knocking on the front door, and peered back in the window. At first, Billy didn’t move. In fact, he turned up the volume on the TV some more.

Helen began thudding on the door relentlessly, and I watched as Billy flung the remote down, pulled himself out of the chair, and left the room.

I tried the window I was looking through, but it was locked. I moved onto the next one, which looked like it was Billy’s bedroom, and after a few seconds of tugging, I felt it shift, and the window slid up.

“Right, you wait here,” I said to Flipper, who had been following my break-in attempt with interest. “Make sure you alert me if Billy comes around this way.”

Flipper sat down, his nose pointed in the direction of the front door, and his ears pricked. I knew I could rely on him.

I forced the window higher, jumped onto a ledge, and slid through onto the floor.

The room smelled musty as if the bedding needed washing. There were several pairs of black socks on the floor, which I skirted around, but the room was much cleaner and tidier than Ranulph’s, so I couldn’t be too disgusted.

There was a pile of letters on Billy’s dressing table, but a quick scan through them revealed nothing exciting; they were circulars or credit card statements. And from an inspection of the last statement, Billy was a man who paid his credit card off in full, so there were no concerns about him killing for money.

I snuck into the lounge on my tiptoes. From this room, I was able to hear Billy talking to Helen. His tone sounded irritated and his comments to her questions were short. I hoped he wasn’t going to do anything rash like slam the door in her face and come back too soon. There was nowhere to hide other than behind the armchair. There was a TV, a small table littered with paper and a couple of beer bottles, a glass-fronted cabinet full of guns, and a small dresser. I pulled open the doors on the dresser and discovered old car parts and a few sets of car keys. I ran my fingers over the keys, wondering if they started any of the cars in the garage.

I returned to the bedroom, not feeling enthusiastic about what I’d found. I yanked open the top two drawers of the dresser and discovered women’s underwear. I wrinkled my nose and shut it quickly. He most likely kept them from his numerous conquests. The man was a pig.

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest, as I heard a muffled yell from Billy. I dashed to the window, slung my legs over the edge, and hit the ground. Flipper was by my side in an instant, his ears pricked and hackles raised.

“We’d better go and make sure Helen’s okay.” I ran around the side of the building towards the front door, and found Billy on his knees, clutching his groin.

“I did say what I’d do if he laid a finger on me,” said Helen as she spotted me.

“You’re crazy, woman,” hissed out Billy. “I was only being friendly.”

“All I was asking about was the repairs to the dodgy pipes in the kitchen,” said Helen, fixing Billy with an evil glare. “You didn’t need to get so hands-on with me.”

Billy’s head sank to the ground and he let out a groan as his gaze settled on me.

“What are you doing here?”

“Having an evening stroll,” I said. “I hope you’re not misbehaving?”

Billy shook his head. “You women are all crazy. Don’t know what you want half the time.”

Helen huffed and folded her arms over her chest. “We know that we want nothing to do with you.”

I grabbed hold of Helen’s arm, seeing she was tempted to give Billy another kick. “Let’s get out of here.”

Helen gave Billy a final glare before the three of us dashed into the night and back towards the house.

“What did you find?” whispered Helen. “I held off for as long as I could but had no choice but to knee Billy in the end. He was being so rude.”

“You did a great job, but I didn’t find any clues,” I said. “Lots of guns, some women’s underwear, and a few sets of car keys. Nothing to suggest Billy was involved with Katie and Johnny’s deaths, or who our mystery woman could be.”

Helen let out another huff. “And there was me, hoping you’d have a diary full of his sordid revelations. He’s such a creep. I won’t be surprised if he is involved with this. It took him less than a minute to twist the conversation we were having, and make it inappropriate. I tried to stop him, but he was relentless. Someone needs to neuter Billy.”

“Looks like you did a pretty good job of that with your knee,” I said to her as we reached the backdoor of the main house and hurried inside.

“I did my best,” said Helen. “I should have worn some pointed-toed shoes, they would have put him out of action for a while.”

I let out a sigh as I shut the door behind us. “Well, after our investigations, we’re no closer to finding out who’s involved with Katie and Johnny’s murders.”

“How about one last macaroon?” asked Helen. “That could provide us with some inspiration.”

I shrugged as I followed Helen and Flipper to the kitchen. I doubted it would, and was frustrated about the mystery surrounding these deaths. Who was this woman? Where was she hiding, and how did she kill Katie and Johnny?

Chapter 14

“Once you’ve finished that file, I have these bills that require paying.” Lady Camilla brandished a pile of papers at me. “Write the details on the checks, and I will sign them.”

I pushed the last file into place and shut the cabinet. After the unsuccessful investigation into Billy and Ranulph’s guilt last night, I was out of ideas as to who killed Katie and Johnny. It didn’t help that the ghosts weren’t around much, so I was left to make up possibilities on my own, with the help of Helen, who still thought we needed to look for a serial killer.

“Don’t keep me waiting.” Lady Camilla waved the papers in the air again.

I hurried over and sat at a desk opposite her. I took the papers from her bony hand and began to hand write the checks. Honestly, who still pays with a check these days?

The first two were straightforward enough, payments for refurbishment work in the estate barns. But the next one made me pause; it was a check for a firm of private investigators. They’d sent an invoice for two-thousand pounds for their investigation of a family matter.

“Is something wrong?” asked Lady Camilla.

I looked up from my study of the paperwork and saw her cold blue eyes boring into me. “I wasn’t sure if this invoice was correct.” I held aloft the paperwork. “It’s for a private investigation service.”

“What of it?”

“Well, nothing. I suppose I was just curious,” I said, as I lowered the invoice. “You’re not having any troubles?”

Lady Camilla sighed and laced her fingers together. “No troubles you need to concern yourself about. You write the check for the amount they need.”

I filled in the details on the check, before passing it to Lady Camilla. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but does this relate to your daughter?”

“I do mind you asking.”

I swallowed my nerves. “Are you still searching for her?”

“I am not personally looking for anybody.” Lady Camilla’s hand shook as she signed the check with an old-fashioned, silver-colored fountain pen.

“Do you think Katie is in some sort of trouble?”

“I believe my daughter is dead,” said Lady Camilla. “But even if she is alive, she is dead to this family. She disgraced us. I want no part of her life.”

“Why are you searching for her if you don’t care for her anymore?”

The nib of the pen snapped, and black ink spilled onto Lady Camilla’s fingers.

I jumped up and hurried around the desk with a hankie. “Let me help with that.”

Lady Camilla dropped the pen into the trash container next to her. “It’s just a defective pen. I do not require your assistance.”

I passed her the hankie anyway, and after a second’s hesitation, she took it from me and mopped at the ink on her skin.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” I said.

“I am not upset.”

“Losing a daughter must be hard, even if you weren’t close.”

“Not when that daughter was an embarrassment,” said Lady Camilla.

“How did she embarrass you?” I returned to my seat and sat facing her.

“She was a strong-willed girl,” said Lady Camilla. “Katie tried her best to fit in with this family, but it was a struggle for her.”

“Did she do something to bring the family name into disrepute?”

Lady Camilla’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know about her?”

I clasped my hands together. “I’m curious about your daughter, that’s all. And you seem unhappy about whatever happened.”

“Katie did something foolish,” said Lady Camilla, not taking her gaze from me.

“Was it something illegal?”

“In my eyes it was,” said Lady Camilla. She let out a sigh and leaned back in her seat. “But no, my daughter was an honest person. But she was too trusting of others. And she became involved with someone most unsuitable for her and this family.”

“And you cut her out of your life, and then she disappeared?”

Lady Camilla’s gaze snapped back to me. “You are well informed about my family’s business.”

“Ranulph said a few things about his sister, that’s all.”

“I did not expect her to vanish,” said Lady Camilla. “We both said angry words, and I do regret some of mine. But I have a heritage to uphold, and she was making that difficult.”

I gestured to the invoice. “What are the private investigators looking into?”

“Where Katie is living,” said Lady Camilla. “She left with an unsuitable gentleman, and I want to make sure she has not been disappointed by him.”

“You don’t think he harmed her?”

Lady Camilla dismissed my comment with a wave of her hand. “Not unsuitable in the sense that he was a violent individual, but he was not appropriate to become a member of this family.”

“But you think something bad happened to Katie?” I was pushing my luck by keeping the questions going, but now Lady Camilla was actually answering me, this could be my only opportunity to discover more.

“I do not know,” said Lady Camilla, after a short pause.

“But you would like to know?” I leaned forward. “It shows you care about her.”

The air in the room cooled, and I saw Lady Camilla shudder just as Katie appeared by her mother’s shoulder.

“She was my first born,” said Lady Camilla. “I had great hopes for her.” She pulled open a drawer next to her and lifted out a folder. She extracted a photograph from it, before passing it to me. “She was a beautiful young woman. And smart as well. Too smart for her own good.”

I looked at the photo and saw the bright, vibrant version of the ghost standing in front of me. Lady Camilla was right, Katie was beautiful, with shiny blonde hair and large hazel eyes. She was smiling in the photo I held, her arm wrapped around her mother’s shoulders.

“Ranulph mentioned Katie was a lawyer.”

“That’s correct. But Ranulph was not close to his sister. They often fought, and when she left, it got quieter in the house. No more children bickering, you see.”

A pile of papers slid off a nearby filing cabinet to reveal more photos of Katie. Hanging on the corner of one was a gold locket in the shape of a heart.

Lady Camilla jumped up as she saw the papers fall. “You must get better at organizing these papers. I don’t know what I’m paying you for, this should all be sorted by now.” She shot me a glare before walking over to the filing cabinet. Her hands hovered over the framed pictures and a gasp shot from her lips. “I wondered where that locket had got to.”

“Is it yours?” I asked.

Lady Camilla shook her head as she took the locket off the frame and opened it. “It’s Katie’s. She rarely took it off. It was a present from her father, and she adored him. There’s a picture of the two of them inside.”

“You must miss her.” I stood and walked over to the filing cabinet, before patting Lady Camilla’s arm. She was bird-like thin, and all I could feel were her bones beneath the flesh.

Lady Camilla instantly tensed and snapped the locket shut. “They are both gone now. It is all over.”

I looked at Katie and noted the sad expression on her face. “Perhaps you could still talk to Katie as if she was here? You might find that a comfort.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Lady Camilla placed the locket in her pocket. “There’s no point in talking to thin air. I would appear insane.”

“You would appear like a woman missing her child,” I said. “I often talk to my imaginary friends.”

“Then perhaps I have employed the wrong person for this position.” Lady Camilla’s steely gaze shifted to me. “I want someone of sound mind and body to do this job. I was concerned because of your medical condition that required a dog.” She pointed into the corner of the room, where Flipper sat, his eyes fixed on Katie.

“My health is not a problem,” I said. “And I promise you, my mind is sound as well. I was only suggesting it because it might bring you some relief. It can be difficult not knowing what happened to a person you love.”

Lady Camilla’s shoulders hunched. “Everybody I care about leaves me. I am used to it.”

“Who else has left you?”

Lady Camilla walked back around the desk and sat down. “My husband.”

“I thought he died?”

“He did. That means he still left me.”

“He can’t have had much choice about that, though. It’s not like he divorced you or ran away with another woman.”

Lady Camilla let out an unladylike snort. “As if he’d dare. Now, you need to get back to work. There are bills to pay, and I have several letters I require you to take down before I retire for the day. You will not be able to leave until those tasks have been completed.”

I suppressed a grimace, returned to my seat, and flipped open the check book.

The more Lady Camilla opened up to me, the more it seemed unlikely she was involved in her daughter’s death. But she was the only woman in the household. If it wasn’t Lady Camilla, then who could it be?

I looked at Katie, but her form was already fading. Maybe she was mistaken. I needed to speak to her and Johnny again, and see what they remembered about the night they died.

Chapter 15

As I hurried to the kitchen to have dinner with Helen, I got a message from Zach, asking me to meet him the next day. I grinned as I sent back a message saying I was looking forward to it. I’d look forward to it even more if I could resolve this ghost mystery and stop worrying about Katie and Johnny. But my list of credible suspects was running out, and I wasn’t sure which way to turn next.

Helen greeted me at the kitchen door with a smile.

“Looks like you’ve had good news,” I said to her.

“I’ve been planning my next date with Henry.” Helen gestured to the table and I sat down, Flipper by my side, ever hopeful for some dinner treats. “What extravagant plans has he got lined up for you?”

“He’s not certain yet, but he suggested a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, champagne and strawberries, and maybe a trip around his estate as well,” said Helen.

“All on one date? He must really like you.”

“He’s a gentleman,” said Helen. “He’s going to sweep me off my feet. And I’m happy to let him.”

“And so he should,” I said. “You’re a real catch.”

Helen checked the contents of the oven, and a rich, spicy smell drifted out towards me. “I must admit, I’m nervous about it. I do like him. And perhaps, when things get serious, we can double date. Do you think Zach will like Henry?”

“Of course he will,” I said. “I’m meeting Zach tomorrow on my day off, so can check and see what he thinks about double dating.”

“So long as it’s not one of Zach’s favorite long walks across a muddy field with the dogs, I don’t mind what we do together,” said Helen.

“I love walking too,” I said. “Dates don’t always need to be horse rides, champagne and glamor.”

“Yes, but having to traipse around a field will not give me a chance to show off my new shoes.” Helen grinned at me. “Men always love high heels.”

I shook my head as I grinned at Helen. “I’ve been thinking about our ghosts.”

Helen hurried away from the stove and sat opposite me. “Have they given you any more clues to go on?”

“Katie appeared briefly today, but only to stand next to her mom. She didn’t tell me anything useful. But Lady Camilla did.”

“I don’t suppose she confessed to the killings, did she?”

“No, but amazingly, she opened up a bit. She told me she missed Katie but had to cut her out of their lives because of Johnny. She’s still paying a private eye to investigate where Katie is, though. She still has hopes of finding her alive.”

Helen flapped a dishcloth over her shoulder. “That is sad. Lady Camilla is on the frosty side, but no one should lose a daughter like that.”

“A part of me wanted to tell her that Katie was watching us, but that would have led to instant dismissal. She even told me off for saying I had imaginary friends I spoke to.”

Helen raised eyebrows. “Maybe not a good idea to tell everybody that. Your ability is an odd one.”

“I was only trying to comfort her,” I said.

“So, where now?” asked Helen.

“Let’s keep our focus on Ranulph,” I said. “He’s got the most to gain from Katie dying. Lady Camilla only had two children. Now Katie’s gone, Ranulph will inherit everything. And that’s worth killing for.”

“Dinner will be another forty minutes,” said Helen. “And I saw Ranulph by the garage not so long ago. Why don’t we go and see what we can find out from him now?”

“Katie and Johnny are sure a car was involved in their deaths, so if Ranulph is hiding something in the garage, it’s a good place to start.” I stood and headed to the door. “And he did try to give me his dead sister’s car. Maybe we can get him talking about that and he might let something slip.”

Helen washed her hands and then followed me and Flipper into the hallway and outside, walking around to the garage.

The doors of the garage were wide open, and Ranulph’s backside was visible as he leaned into a sleek black car.

I pushed Helen towards him and gestured for her to start a conversation.

“Ranulph, we’re so glad to see you,” said Helen brightly. “We’re at a loose end and wondered if you’d like to entertain us.”

Ranulph jumped out of the car, banging his head against the door as he did so. He rubbed his forehead and frowned. “Thought you two didn’t want to be entertained by me.”

“Don’t be silly, of course we do,” said Helen. “Why don’t you tell us about some of these lovely cars of yours?”

Ranulph shrugged. “Most of them aren’t mine. The Bentley is Mommy’s, and she uses it to be chauffeured around in. The red one in the corner is my sister’s car. I use the Mercedes most of the time or this little convertible.” He patted the roof of the car he stood next to.

“You can’t drive all of them?” Helen pouted. “But you must be an amazing driver.”

I struggled not to roll my eyes at her over-the-top sweetness.

“I drive whatever I like,” said Ranulph as he puffed his chest out. “But I’m busy right now.”

“Are you sure you can’t spare us any time?” asked Helen.

Ranulph ran his gaze over both of us. “Maybe later.”

“Some other time, then.” I gave Helen a discreet wink and we both turned and walked away.

“Wait! Perhaps I have got time now.” Ranulph hurried after us, gripping his chubby hands in front of him. “Why don’t we go for a drive? You can get a good speed on these country lanes, and there are never any police around telling you to slow down.”

I wasn’t sure about going for a joyride with Ranulph, but it would give us a chance to be alone with him. I nodded at Helen.

“Just a quick ride,” said Helen. “Why don’t we take the red car?”

“Yes, that’s my favorite,” I said.

“It’s not mine, but we can go in that if we must.” Ranulph hurried ahead of us and opened the doors of the car. “One of you will have to get in the backseat, it’s a bit of a squash back there.”

“Not to worry,” said Helen. “Flipper and I can fit in the back easily. You sit up front, Lorna, and have a nice chat with Ranulph.”

“Great idea.” I hopped into the seat after Helen and Flipper were in, and Ranulph closed the door behind me.

“Does the dog have to come?” Ranulph eyed Flipper suspiciously, who sat next to Helen with his tongue hanging out.

“He’s very good,” I said. “Flipper rarely sheds fur, and he only bites if you provoke him.” And you’re not going to do that, are you?”

Ranulph scowled. “Very well. Let’s go for a ride.”

We all buckled up, and Ranulph turned the engine over, a deep, rumbling purr emitting from the engine as he pressed his foot on the gas pedal.

“You do know how to drive?” asked Helen, worry tracing through her words.

“Of course I do,” said Ranulph. “I only have nine points on my licence.”

“Only nine! That’s good to know.” I gripped the door handle. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Ranulph laughed as he pushed a pair of aviator sunglasses over his eyes. “I hope you like to go fast.” The back wheels of the car protested as we shot out of the garage and along the gravel driveway.

I caught Helen’s gaze in the rearview mirror and grimaced at her. She returned my expression as she wrapped her arms around Flipper.

“I’ll put the top down,” said Ranulph. The soft top of the car rolled back over our heads and my hair blew across my face as the speed increased.

He fishtailed the car out of the driveway and onto the narrow country lane that passed the house. “Where do you fancy going? We could drive out to the coast if you like.”

“Just a short journey will do,” I said. “And maybe you should slow down.” I shut my eyes as we narrowly missed a pheasant who dashed across the road.

“Nonsense. I’ve been driving these lanes for years. I can do this route with my eyes closed.”

“Make sure you don’t!” shouted Helen.

Ranulph laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m in control here.”

I doubted that very much. “Did you go out driving in this car with your sister?”

“Rarely,” said Ranulph. “She didn’t like me in her car. Said I made it messy.”

“As if you’d do such a thing,” said Helen.

“Exactly. Besides, I have my own cars. This one is too small for me, really. Pedals are set up for a woman. My sister had small feet.”

“Do you think she’ll come back for this car?” My lips squeezed together to stop from screaming as we screeched around a corner.

“Shouldn’t think so,” said Ranulph. “Why, are you still considering my offer of having the car?” He flashed me a smile.

“No, I don’t need a car.”

Helen squeaked as a tractor rumbled out of a farm entrance in front of us.

Ranulph slammed on the brakes and blasted his horn. “Idiot! Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” He manoeuvred the car around the tractor and sped off again as the farmer yelled curses at us.

I raised my hand in an apology as we shot around the next bend. “That’s not bad advice,” I said to Ranulph.

“I can drive this thing with no hands on the wheels.” Ranulph demonstrated by lifting his hands from the steering wheel.

I grabbed hold of it. “Eyes on the road! I really like my life!”

“Me too,” said Helen. “Maybe we can turn around now?”

“Oh no, I’m having fun,” said Ranulph. “I want to show you the sights. I don’t think either of you have been out much. It’s lovely around here.”

“Did Katie liked the area?” I asked him.

“Why all the questions about my sister?” Ranulph glared at me. “You didn’t know her when she was alive, did you?”

“I don’t think so,” I said. “But from what I’ve heard, she sounds like a nice lady. I’m surprised people don’t seem sadder about her vanishing.”

“What’s to be sad about?” asked Ranulph. “I never got on with her. Well, she wasn’t terrible, but I would have preferred a brother. Now, that would have been fun. We could have gone hunting together. I never could convince Katie to pick up a gun. And as for trying to get her to fish, she used to squeal every time I hooked a catch, and insist I put it back into the water unharmed. She took all the fun out of things.”

“She sounds like just my sort of person,” I said. Anyone who was kind to animals was okay in my books.

“She would have been if you’re a boring stick in the mud,” said Ranulph. He glanced over at me and his eyes widened. “Hang on a second, you’re not involved with that dodgy, private investigation firm Mommy’s got looking for Katie? Is that why you’re here?”

“No, nothing like that,” I said hurriedly. “As you know, I’m working for your mom. But I’m just curious about your sister. It makes your mom sad when she talks about her.”

“Mommy never talks about Katie,” said Ranulph. “She doesn’t care she’s gone. She hates the family name being tainted. Katie being dead is the best thing that could have happened. Keeps the family name intact.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say.” Helen whacked Ranulph on the back of his head.

He spun around his seat and glared at her. “That hurt!”

“Eyes on the road! Eyes on the road!” I shouted as Ranulph narrowly avoided driving into a ditch. The back end of the car shook as he struggled to regain control.

He let out a triumphant yell as he pressed his foot on the gas pedal. “You see, I’m an excellent driver.”

We shot around a corner, on the wrong side of the road, and into the path of an oncoming truck.

Helen and I screamed, as Ranulph veered off the road, and smashed through a hedge.

Chapter 16

I groaned, my shaking fingers going to my stinging forehead. They came away covered in blood.

I twisted around in my seat, to see Helen sitting in the back, her cheeks pale and her eyes wide. Flipper was leaning against her.

“Are you two okay back there?” I asked her.

“I think so,” whispered Helen, who still had her arms firmly wrapped around Flipper. “Flipper is fine too. What about you? You’ve cut your head!”

“The stupid airbag didn’t go off,” I muttered, as a headache developed behind my eyes.

“Don’t have airbags in this model.” Ranulph lifted his head from the steering wheel. “My neck hurts.”

“You’re lucky not to have broken it,” said Helen. “What kind of idiot stunt were you pulling, shooting around the corner without being able to see what was in front of you?”

“There are never trucks coming along this lane,” said Ranulph. “Dumb driver must have been lost.”

“That’s hardly the point,” said Helen. “You should have been more careful. You have valuable cargo on board.”

“Complaining, annoying cargo on board,” said Ranulph. “I need help getting out. The door’s stuck on this side.” He tugged at the handle on the door and then flopped back into his seat.

“You can stay right there for all I care,” said Helen. “Lorna, Flipper and I are leaving now.”

“You can’t leave me,” whined Ranulph. “I’ve been hurt. You need to be my nurses and make sure I’m not mortally wounded.”

“I wish you were,” muttered Helen. “Besides, Lorna’s hurt as well, and she needs to get some help.”

“The cut on my head isn’t bad.” I touched the growing lump on my forehead.

“Lorna, get out of the car, and let me and Flipper out of the backseat,” said Helen.

I looked over at Ranulph. “Are you really hurt?”

“A bit,” grumbled Ranulph. “Not that your mean friend cares about that.”

“Well, you did almost kill us. She has a right to be angry with you.” I climbed out of my seat, and let Helen and Flipper out, my knees wobbling as I did so. I ran my hands over Flipper several times checking him for injuries, but he was unharmed and snuffled the cut on my head gently before licking my cheek.

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” I said to him, appreciating his concern. I stood and walked to the other side of the car. We’d landed in a ditch, and as I walked around the front, I saw how lucky we were. If we’d carried on another few feet, we’d have been impaled on some farm machinery partially concealed behind the bushes.

“Get me out of here,” said Ranulph as he honked the car horn. “I feel sick.”

“Serves you right,” said Helen. “You should have been more careful when you were driving.”

“It’s got nothing to do with the way I drive,” said Ranulph. “Be nice to me, I might have an internal injury.”

“To your brain, if you have one of those,” said Helen.

I tugged on the handle of Ranulph’s door, which refused to move, but after leaning most of my weight backwards, it pulled open with a screech as the metal ground together.

Ranulph fell out of the car and dry heaved for several seconds.

“He’s such a charmer,” said Helen, as she walked over to join me as I peered down at Ranulph.

“I think he’s scared himself,” I whispered.

“We should get back to the house,” said Helen. “I need to patch up your head, and dinner will be ruined if we don’t hurry.”

I felt my knees tremble as adrenaline flooded through my body. I pulled out my phone. “Let’s call for some help. We’ll have to get this car towed to the house and get a lift at the same time.”

“Don’t let Mommy know what’s happened.” Ranulph stood up, his skin the color of sour milk. “She’ll be furious I’ve taken this car out. She never lets anyone touch Katie’s things.”

“I don’t care what Lady Camilla thinks,” I said. “We’re in need of help. Do you think Billy will assist us?”

Ranulph shrugged and began to dry heave again.

I scrolled through the numbers on my phone, looking for someone who was nearby and could come and get us out of this mess. I stopped on Zach’s number, my finger hovering over the call button. He’d be angry if he knew what had happened. If he did come, he would take his anger out on Ranulph, and then get mad at me because I was taking risks trying to help two ghosts. I kept scrolling until I found the house number.

Manfred answered on the second ring. “The Reynold Estate.”

“Manfred, can you put me through to Billy?” I asked him. “It’s Lorna. I’ve run into a spot of car trouble.”

“I hope everything is okay,” said Manfred.

“Yes, everything’s fine.” I walked a few steps away from Ranulph, who was still making horrible retching noises. “But I need a tow.”

“Let me connect you to Billy in the garage,” said Manfred. “I’m certain he’ll help you.”

He had more faith in Billy than I did. The phone rang several times before it was answered.

“Billy Jacob.”

“Billy, it’s Lorna.”

“What do you want?”

“I need you to come and collect me. I have a problem with the car.”

“Where are you?”

“Not far from the house,” I said. “About three miles away.”

“You can walk back from there,” said Billy.

He was such a sweet guy. “But there’s a damaged car as well. It needs to be collected.”

“Whose car?”

“Katie’s old car,” I said.

“What are you doing driving her car?”

“Maybe I wasn’t driving!” I snapped, my patience evaporating. “I’ve got Ranulph and Helen here as well. We need a lift back to the house.”

“Helen’s with you.” Billy snorted down the phone. “Then I’m definitely not helping. After she attacked me last night, I know she’s capable of looking after herself. You’ll have to find someone else to get you out of this mess.”

“But Ranulph’s here,” I said, a feeling of desperation crawling over me. “And he’s technically your boss. You have to help him.”

“Wrong there, sweetheart. Lady C pays my wages. That stuck-up little snot nose is nothing to me. Find your own way home.” He disconnected the call before I could say anything else.

“I’m guessing that didn’t go well.” Helen touched my arm.

I stuffed my phone back into my pocket. “Billy won’t help. He’s still sore about last night.”

“Typical. What about Zach?” asked Helen. “He’ll want to help you.”

“I did think about him, but don’t want him to get into trouble with his new employer.” I gestured to the wrecked car. “And look at the state of this. He’ll only worry if he finds out what we’ve been up to.”

“So, what do we do?” asked Helen.

I glanced at the sky. “We can walk back in the nice weather.”

“We have to walk!” Ranulph stood up and frowned at me. “Walking makes my feet hurt, and I have a bad knee, and now a sore neck.”

“Unless you want Lady Camilla to know what’s going on, we need to walk,” I said.

“Let me see if I can get the car started,” said Ranulph. “The damage might not be that bad. The two of you can push the car out of the ditch, while I rev the engine and reverse out.”

“There’s no way either of us is getting back in a car with you,” I said. “And it won’t be safe to drive. I don’t suppose you know anything about car repairs?”

“Not a lot,” said Ranulph as he scratched his head. “Always get other people to do that sort of thing for me.”

“Of course you do,” muttered Helen.

“We can call a cab,” said Ranulph. “We’ve got an account with a local firm.”

“And your mother won’t think that’s strange?” I asked. “Us getting a taxi ride from the middle of nowhere, and then a damaged car coming back.”

Ranulph rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I could keep it a secret. How about one of you to say you were driving? That way, she won’t know I’m involved. I could say you insisted on driving an expensive car because you can never afford one of your own, and I felt sorry for you and gave you the keys.”

“What a genius idea. All we risk losing are our jobs,” said Helen. “And I’m not losing this position because of your inability to keep a car on the road.”

“I’ve already said, it wasn’t my fault,” said Ranulph. “It was that truck driver. And he didn’t even stop to see if we were alive. The three of us could be dead, and he’d be trundling his way to who knows where without a care in the world.”

“This is your fault,” I said to Ranulph. “Let’s start walking. We need to get to the house and clean ourselves up. But you’re in charge of sorting out the mess with this car.”

“I’ll report it as stolen when I get home,” said Ranulph, his eyes lighting up at his brilliant plan. “I can make a claim from the insurance company for it. It was only gathering dust sitting in the corner of the garage anyway.”

“I do admire honesty in a man,” said Helen, as she pushed past Ranulph and strode along the lane.

I shook my head at him and then turned away, Flipper at my heel, as we hurried to catch up with Helen.

“What an idiot,” said Helen, as I joined her.

“He was showing off,” I said. “Trying to impress us. But you’re right, he’s a huge idiot.”

“And his actions show he’s more than capable of killing,” said Helen. “He almost killed us and ended his own life as well.”

I patted Flipper’s head. “Ranulph doesn’t seem capable of realizing the impact of his actions on others. Maybe that’s what led him to harm his sister.”

“He deserves to be locked away because of his bad driving if nothing else,” said Helen.

“Wait for me,” called Ranulph, the sound of his shoes slapping in the dirt getting nearer. “I’m hurt. You shouldn’t leave a wounded man behind.”

“We’re not in a war,” shouted Helen. “Although, you’re definitely my enemy. And if I had a bayonet I’d run you through.”

Ranulph limped up to us, his breath gasping out of him. “I didn’t mean to run the car off the road. Promise me you won’t say anything to Mommy.”

“We should tell her everything,” I said. “You acted recklessly and endangered lives.”

Ranulph hung his head as we walked side by side. “I didn’t mean to. I wanted to show you what fun I could be.”

“Then dress up as a clown,” said Helen.

“Please, don’t say anything,” whined Ranulph. “Mommy can be scary when she’s in one of her moods.”

“Will she cut your allowance?” Helen raised her eyebrows at me and shook her head.

I looked over at Ranulph and saw beads of perspiration on his brow. He was clearly terrified of what Lady Camilla would do if she discovered the mess he’d made of his dead sister’s car.

“I won’t say anything if you tell me about your family,” I said to him.

Ranulph’s head whipped up and he grimaced and rubbed his neck. “You are investigating us, aren’t you? That grubby little PI firm has employed some skirt to see what they can find out about us.”

“I’m not some skirt,” I said through gritted teeth. “I have lots of relevant experience in my job and am good at what I do. But your relatives interest me.”

“I don’t believe that,” said Ranulph. “You must want the information for some reason. Are you thinking about blackmailing us? Looking for a juicy family scandal so you can extort some money? It’s been tried before, and Mommy always sends the blackmailers packing. She knows how to handle a gun as well, and isn’t afraid to use one when threatened.”

I could well believe that, having faced the anger of Lady Camilla several times. “What were you being blackmailed over?”

“None of your business,” said Ranulph, as he shot me a narrow-eyed glare. “That little piece of scandal has long since disappeared. It’s worthless to you now, even if you can discover what it is.”

“I don’t want information about sordid secrets in anyone’s past,” I said. “But I am interested in your missing sister.”

“Dead sister, you mean,” said Ranulph.

“Well, maybe dead,” I said. “You seem convinced she’s no longer alive, but I’ve heard a few things about her, and would like to know more.”

Ranulph let out a sigh. “Very well. So long as I have your word Mommy will not hear about what happened to the car.”

“She won’t hear anything from me,” I said.

“Nor me,” said Helen. “I’m the soul of discretion. I know many secrets, and I never reveal them.”

I grinned at her. “So, tell me about Katie and Billy. Were they in a relationship?” I asked Ranulph.

Ranulph snorted out a laugh. “Maybe in Billy’s wildest fantasies they were. He tried it on all the time with my sister, but she was never interested. Billy was far too common for her. Although she planned to marry into a lower class with that Johnny, so I don’t know what was wrong with dating the handyman.”

“They never even went on a single date?” I asked.

“She was too much of a good girl for a scumbag like Billy,” said Ranulph. “He’s fun to be around when you want a few drinks and a laugh about something dirty; knows how to let off steam. But you can never rely on him.”

“As I’ve just found out,” I said, still angered by the fact he’d left three injured people out in the countryside to make their own way home.

“Katie was saving herself for someone special,” said Ranulph. “She was so superior about it. She wanted to find the perfect man and marry him before anything went on between the sheets. No wonder she couldn’t get any of Mommy’s choices to stick around for long. Kept her legs closed too tightly.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I grimaced at Helen. Ranulph was disgusting.

“I think that’s admirable,” said Helen. “Women can be too quick to give themselves away for a cute smile and a gleam in a man’s eye. You should admire your sister for wanting to find the right man.”

“She was such a prude,” said Ranulph, flashing a grin at Helen’s backside. “Always covering her assets. Not that she had many of those. I like my women with a bit more meat on their bones. And she was so smug about her virtue and how important it was to her. It made me sick. I bet she was getting it on with loads of men behind Mommy’s back and then pretending to be so sweet and innocent.”

“Did you look for her after she disappeared?” I asked Ranulph.

“Never bothered,” said Ranulph. “She disappeared one night. Didn’t leave a note, nothing. She didn’t even take anything with her.”

“But your mom keeps looking for her,” I said. “She must think Katie’s still around if she’s doing that.”

“I don’t know why she bothers,” said Ranulph. “Mommy’s disowned her. Katie isn’t even a part of the family anymore. She’s wasting her time and my money. Well, what will soon be my money.”

I thought back to Katie and Johnny’s insistence that it was a woman involved with their deaths. “Do you have any estranged or unusual female members of the family I’ve yet to meet?”

“What do you mean, dotty old aunts or crazy sisters locked in a basement?” asked Ranulph.

“Yes, exactly that,” I said. “Anyone else been ejected from the family who might come looking for revenge?”

“Trust me, you’re the only odd ones around here,” said Ranulph. “Never met such a nosy person before.”

“Don’t be nasty,” said Helen, “or I might let slip to your darling mother about what happened with that car.”

“I’m answering your annoying questions, aren’t I?” said Ranulph. “And you promised not to tell.”

“And we won’t,” I said. “But you can’t think of anyone in your family who had a grudge against Katie?”

“Look, we’re almost home.” Ranulph pointed at the house still some distance away and sped up, his limp remarkably gone.

I watched him hurry ahead of us and let out a sigh. “What do you make of that?” I asked Helen. “No crazy old aunts who hurt Katie. I was thinking we missed a suspect, but maybe not.”

“Ranulph doesn’t seem to care one bit that his only sister has gone,” said Helen. “That man is a real toad.”

“He’s like a child in a man’s body,” I said. “He doesn’t understand the consequences of what he’s doing.”

“What a creep.”

“We need to keep him on the suspect list,” I said. “Whatever Katie and Johnny say, Ranulph is the perfect suspect for this crime.”

“I’d be happy to see him go behind bars,” said Helen. “And we should still tell Lady Camilla what he did to that car. She will skin him alive. That would be fun to watch.”

“As tempting as that is, we’d better not,” I said. “Can you imagine how spiteful Ranulph gets if you cross him? I bet he’d try to sneak into our rooms and suffocate us in our sleep.”

Helen gave a shudder. “Maybe you’re right. But let’s keep out of his way as much as possible. Being around that man for long breaks me out in a rash.”

“Me too.” I took hold of Helen’s elbow, feeling the need for some extra stability, my head was still pounding from where I’d hit the dashboard.

I bit down on the frustration inside me as we slowly approached the house. Even after risking death at the hands of an incompetent idiot driver in the hope of getting useful information, we were no closer to finding out who the killer was. And all I had to show for it, was a cut head and a terrible headache.

Maybe Zach was right, trying to help these ghosts was just too much trouble.

Chapter 17

After enjoying a long lie-in the next morning, snuggling up to Flipper under my warm duvet, I got up and checked the bump on my head. The cut had scabbed over, and the flesh around the wound was turning yellow. Not the most attractive look to have when going out on a date, but at least the headache had gone.

I checked nobody was around, before sneaking down to the kitchen in my pajamas and dressing gown. Well, it was my first day off. I deserved to take it easy, especially since I’d almost died yesterday.

A smile crossed my face, as I discovered a pile of freshly made pancakes on a plate in the middle of the kitchen table. Helen must have beaten me down and decided we both deserved a treat.

I gave Flipper his usual dog kibble and then set to work on the pancakes. They were light and fluffy and full of fresh blueberries.

Flipper came over after he’d finished off his breakfast, and decided he needed a pancake as well. I fed it to him as I thought about the remaining suspects in Katie and Johnny’s murders.

Lady Camilla no longer seemed like a suspect. Despite her cold manner, she did care about her daughter. Billy was a possibility, though. Maybe his lies had caught up with him and Katie had confronted him. If he’d lost his temper and lashed out, he could have done her harm. But what about Johnny? Would Billy have killed Katie and then hunted down Johnny? Or maybe Johnny witnessed Billy attacking Katie and tried to help and was harmed in the process? I shook my head as I ate another pancake.

I still wondered about Ranulph. There was something off about him. He’d had no care for our safety, or his own, yesterday. Maybe his ego made him think he was indestructible, or couldn’t be caught if he got in trouble. That trouble could include killing his sister and her boyfriend.

Helen breezed through the kitchen door and smiled at me. “Glad to see you found the pancakes. Hope you’ve left me some.”

“Of course,” I said, pointing to the half empty plate.

“Thought we needed them after our scare yesterday.” Helen brought over a pot of tea, before sitting down and helping herself to some pancakes.

“Good thinking,” I said. “How are you?”

“I got away without a scratch.” Helen’s gaze went to my forehead. “How about you?”

“It looks worse than it is,” I said. “Not sure what Zach’s going to think, though.”

“He’ll want to kill Ranulph for putting you in harm’s way.”

“So do I,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about the ghosts and their killer—”

“Not today,” said Helen. “After having to endure Ranulph yesterday, we both deserve a day off. We don’t have to work, and we’ve both got dates with hot men, so let’s enjoy ourselves. The ghosts will be here tomorrow, and so will their killer, whoever it is.”

I had to admit, the idea of not worrying about solving this mystery was appealing. “Sounds like a plan.”

“And Johnny and Katie aren’t around, are they?” asked Helen. “They won’t even notice we’re gone for the day.”

“They rarely are in evidence,” I said. “I’m wondering if they’re weak because there aren’t many people in the house. They need living energy to stay solid for long.”

Helen held up one hand. “Enough with the ghost talk. It’s off-limits.”

I grinned at her. “If you make me another batch of pancakes, then I’ll agree to anything.”

Helen’s eyes widened. “You don’t want to spoil your appetite. Maybe Zach is going to take you for a romantic meal.”

“It will be romantic,” I said. “We’re going for a picnic, followed by a walk.”

“Walking boots on a date.” Helen shook her head. “I’m not planning on doing any walking in the outfit I’ll be wearing. My heels won’t allow it.”

“What are you and Henry going to do?”

“Still not sure yet,” said Helen. “He’s proposed so many ideas my head’s spinning. All of them sound lovely, though. I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time.”

“I don’t doubt you will,” I said. “Now, about these pancakes.”

“If you want them, you’ll have to make them yourself.” Helen jumped to her feet. “I need time to get myself ready.”

I sighed as I looked at my empty plate. “I need to have a shower anyway.”

“Oh, about that,” said Helen as she paused by the kitchen door. “I might have been in the shower for a bit too long. I think all the hot water has gone.”

“You definitely owe me more pancakes then,” I said.

Helen laughed as she hurried out of the kitchen. “Another time, I promise. But I have a date waiting for me. Enjoy yours.”

I hummed to myself as I stacked the empty plates in the dishwasher. It was good to see Helen happy and so keen on Henry. He was doing her good, and I knew how much she wanted to find her own happy ending and marry the man of her dreams. I was glad things were working out for her.

After a very quick, and very cold, shower, I dressed in a pair of navy trousers, a pretty floral blouse, and then slid into my walking boots. It wasn’t the most date-worthy of outfits, but it was perfect for where I was going, and who I was seeing.

As I hurried down the stairs with Flipper, I heard Lady Camilla call out to me.

“Lorna, have you got a moment?”

I gritted my teeth as I turned towards the sound of her voice. “I was just heading out, Lady Camilla.”

“I need your help with something,” she said, as I entered her study. “It won’t take a few moments.”

I set my bag down and repressed a sigh. “Of course. How can I help?”

Three hours later, I had my mobile glued to my ear, and stress-induced stomach cramps. “I can’t wait that long! I need the taxi now.”

“It will be at least forty-five minutes,” said the woman on the other end of the phone.

“Fine. I’ll find another way there.” I disconnected and looked down at Flipper. “We’re going to have to make a run for it, or we’ll miss Zach and Jessie.” I sent Zach a quick text to let him know I would be late and then hurried out the door.

I stopped as my eyes landed on a bicycle. That would get me there in half the time. I looked around the gardens but couldn’t see who it belonged to. Better not go stealing somebody’s bike, though. I ran around to the garage and pulled the door open. On the wall were several bikes. I found one with pumped up tyres, pulled it down, and adjusted the saddle height.

I wheeled the bike out and sat on it. “Let’s go for a ride,” I said to Flipper.

I was meeting Zach in a village five miles from the house. He’d chosen the spot because it had lovely views over the Suffolk countryside. He’d forgotten to mention it was uphill all the way.

Twenty sweat-soaked minutes later, I heaved myself off the bike and sucked in lungfuls of air. I wiped my hand across my forehead and then hurried toward a picnic area.

Jessie met us at a turnstile, her tail wagging as her dark gaze landed on Flipper, and a bark of joy flew from her muzzle.

“Hope Zach is as happy to see me as you are Flipper,” I said to her, as I gave her head a stroke.

I spotted Zach leaning back on his elbows, a checked picnic blanket underneath him. I dashed over and laid the bike down. “Sorry, I’m late. Had some transportation issues.”

His gaze went to the bike. “You should have said you were having problems, I could have come to collect you.”

“Didn’t want to spoil your plans,” I said.

“Couldn’t you have borrowed Helen’s car?”

“I think she’s using it today.” I sat and tried to smooth my windswept hair. “Helen’s going on a date with our wealthy neighbor, Henry, and she didn’t know where they were going, so wanted to be covered for all eventualities.”

“I’m glad you’re here now.” Zach leaned over and went to kiss my cheek, but then paused, and his gaze rose to my forehead. “What happened to you?”

“Oh, this is nothing.” My fingers touched my bruise.

“How did you cut your head?” Zach sat up. “Not chasing after ghosts, I hope.”

“No, this was very much caused by someone who’s alive.”

“This person might not be when you tell me what happened.”

“Don’t get angry,” I said. “I was just involved in a little car accident.”

“A car accident!”

“But nobody got hurt.”

“You did.”

“I mean, no one was badly hurt,” I said. “Helen and Flipper were in the car, and they got out unharmed. The driver hurt his neck, but was able to walk back to the house after the accident.”

“Who is this driver?” asked Zach, the muscles in his jaw clenching as he kept staring at my bruise.

“The son of my employer,” I said.

“Why were you out with him in a car?”

I glared at the Zach, not appreciating the interrogation. “We were out for a ride. He was showing us some of the countryside.”

“Is that all there is to it?”

“What else would it be?” I frowned at him. “Don’t you trust me around other men?”

“I completely trust you,” said Zach. “It’s not the living I’m worried about.”

I twisted a strand of sweaty hair around my fingers. “Well, I think he’s involved with the death of his sister and her boyfriend.”

“So, you were out ghost hunting,” said Zach, giving an exasperated sigh. “And you were in a car with a potential killer.”

“You make it sound so bad,” I said. “He’s just a spoiled mommy’s boy.”

“I make it sound bad because it is,” said Zach.

“I was with Helen and Flipper. Ranulph would never have harmed us all.”

“But you’ve been injured, by him,” said Zach. “I should go and have a word with him. Make sure he knows it’s not okay to try to harm you.”

“Don’t worry, he already knows that,” I said. “Helen and I told him off for his dangerous driving.”

“Maybe he needs to be told off some more.” Zach got to his knees, but I pulled him back down next to me. “Don’t spoil today. Ranulph was being an idiot, showing off to try to impress us.”

Zach raised an eyebrow. “And were you impressed?”

“Not for a second,” I said. “He’s nothing compared to you.”

Zach shook his head and his fingers gently touched the bruise on my head. “I’ve said it before, but please be careful. I understand the ghosts are important to you, and you want to help them, but you won’t be able to do that if you become a ghost yourself.”

I took hold of his hand and intertwined our fingers. “I know that. But these ghosts need help. They think they were killed.”

Zach sighed and then pulled the picnic hamper towards him. He opened the lid and threw a few dog treats to Jessie and Flipper, who were dancing around the grass with a stick between them. He wiped his hands on a towel and then extracted a box full of sandwiches. “Tell me more about your ghosts.”

“The ghosts of Katie Reynold and her boyfriend Johnny are in the house. Well, mainly the garage,” I said. “You were there the first time I saw them.”

“I remember,” said Zach.

“Katie and Johnny vanished two years ago.”

“Why do they think they were killed?” Zach handed me a roasted vegetable tartlet and pulled out a box of dressed salad.

“They think something happened to them in a car,” I said. “It could have been some sort of accident, but they’re not sure, and can’t rest until they know what happened to them.”

“Confused ghosts,” said Zach. “That’s hardly helpful.”

“That’s why they need me,” I said. “You’re not going to tell me to keep out of this, are you?” We’d had arguments before about my involvement with ghosts. Zach only wanted to look out for me and keep me safe and I was known for getting myself into the occasional dangerous situation when it came to spirits.

“I’m not,” said Zach, after a short pause. “I just want to see you out of danger. Something you aren’t all that good at.”

“Well, at least this time around I don’t need to worry about the ghosts causing me harm. It’s more the living that are the problem.”

“I have the solution for that problem,” said Zach.

“What’s that?” I asked as I took a sandwich.

“It’s a way we can spend more time together, and you won’t need to work so much and be away all the time.” Zach grinned at me. “How about we move in together?”

I dropped the sandwich I was holding. “Me and you, getting a place together?”

Zach smiled and picked up my fallen sandwich, before handing it to me. “I didn’t think it would be such a shock. I’ve sold my house, and you don’t have to give up your apartment in Oxfordshire. You can keep it if you want to, rent it out. Or maybe Helen would like to buy it from you.”

“Right. My apartment. And Helen.” I blinked a few times. “There’s a lot to think about.”

“If we live together, we’ll see more of each other. It will also be easier for us to find jobs together. Make as an official couple, if you like.”

“But we’re already an official couple,” I said. “Living together isn’t going to change that.”

“You know what our employers are like. They prefer traditional couples. Couples who live in the same place.” Zach glanced into the distance. “Couples who share the same surname. It doesn’t make any sense to them otherwise.”

“I haven’t thought about that,” I said. “It would be nice for us to work together more. I don’t like that you’re working somewhere else.”

“I miss you too.” Zach grinned at me. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s a good idea.” I nodded and stuffed the sandwich in my mouth. I loved the idea of living with Zach, but it also scared me. Other than Helen and Flipper, I’d never lived with anyone before. This would be new territory.

“I’ve been enjoying my time in this new job,” said Zach. “It’s made me think about starting my own business. I like being the boss, and there’s potential for me to grow this side of the work I do. It would be good to have some stability, have something of my own, rather than relying on the whims of the upper class to give me employment. I could start doing it as a sideline, and grow the business over a few years.”

“I’m glad you’ve found something you enjoy.” My mind was whirling with the possibilities I’d just been offered. A new home with Zach. Was I ready for this?

“We could pick anywhere you’d like to live,” said Zach. “I got a good deal on my house sale, so have money for a down payment. A new build could be good, little maintenance, and no... history. And you can go to working part-time if you’d like, and maybe pick a modern building to work in.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You mean a modern building with no ghosts.” I placed the last bite of my sandwich down and frowned at Zach. “Is that what this is all about? You want me to give up on the ghosts?”

“I don’t,” said Zach slowly. “Well, if I’m being honest, I do. But I know you’d never do that. The ghosts are a part of you, and I understand that. But maybe you’d like more of a break from them. If you weren’t having to live and work with them every day, you wouldn’t be surrounded by dead people demanding you help them.”

“But those dead people need my help,” I said. “If I wasn’t around them, how would I know they needed it?”

“You could set up some sort of online service,” said Zach, giving a shrug as he picked cucumber out of his sandwich.

“You want the ghosts to start using the Internet to get in touch with me?” I shook my head. “That’s not going to work.”

“Wouldn’t you like to live together?”

“Of course! But that’s not the point,” I said. “I’d be happy to get a place with you, but I love my job. And I enjoy the fact I can help those in need. I’m never going to give up on the ghosts.”

“It’s just an idea,” said Zach. “We’ve been seeing each other for over a year, and I like our time together.”

“But not when there are ghosts involved,” I said.

“I’m still getting used to them,” said Zach. “It’s getting easier, but only you can see them. I feel like an idiot when I’m talking to one of them.”

“Don’t feel like that,” I said. “They appreciate it when you try to assist them.”

“I just get in the way,” said Zach.

“You don’t. And Helen doesn’t feel like that, and she can’t see them,” I said. “But when we first started helping ghosts, she felt strange too, and she’s never gotten the hang of where to look when she’s speaking to them.”

Zach sighed, as he packed away the remaining sandwiches and salad. “Let’s have some cake.” He pulled out a tin of lemon slices and handed me one.

“These look nice,” I said, noticing his glum expression. “And I do like the idea of us moving in together. But we’re going to have to figure out how we can accommodate everyone.”

“You’re not talking about the dogs and Helen, are you?”

“I’m not,” I said. “I want you all in my life. We need to work out how I can minimize my contact with ghosts, while still being able to help them, and not freak you out too much.”

“I only get freaked out when you get injured.” Zach’s gaze landed on my forehead again.

“This was an isolated incident.” I touched the bruise on my head.

Zach ate a lemon slice, his gaze focused on the dogs. “Give it some thought.”

“I will,” I said. “And it’s lovely you’ve asked me.”

We ate our cakes in silence, and even the tangy, sweet lemon taste couldn’t shift the worry I felt. Was there any way I could get my ghosts, boyfriend, best friend, and the dogs all living together happily?

Zach packed away the rest of the food and then stood. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. It will give you something to think about other than ghosts and new places to live.”

I took his outstretched hand and smiled at Zach. He knew me better than I realized.

Chapter 18

I enjoyed the rest of my date with Zach but was glad when it came to an end, and he brought me back to the house in his Land Rover, my requisitioned bicycle in the back. I had a lot of things to think about.

After we’d said our goodbyes, I went into the house and through to the kitchen, and had just pulled off my shoes when Helen returned.

“Did you have a nice date?” I asked her.

“Oh, yes, it was lovely.” Helen sat down and kicked off her high heels. “Glad to be out of those things, though. They look good but pinched my toes.”

“I was late getting to my date, thanks to Lady Camilla.”

“That’s not nice of her,” said Helen. “This is your day off. I hope Zach didn’t mind.”

“We got to have our picnic and a walk, so it worked out fine,” I said, noticing Helen’s normally bright cheeks were paler than usual. “Are you sure everything went okay?”

“The date itself was lovely,” said Helen. “Henry took me to a cute little cafe and spoiled me rotten with loads of treats. We went and had a look at the river, and then he took me back to his estate to show me around. We used a golf buggy, so I didn’t have to worry about getting my lovely heels damaged. Although, he was a bit speedy for my liking.”

“That’s thoughtful of him.” I grinned at her, as I imagined Helen clinging onto a speeding golf buggy. “So, it all went well?”

“Something was a bit strange,” said Helen. “And don’t think badly of Henry for what I’m about to tell you because he was perfection himself. He paid for everything and was always checking to make sure I was enjoying myself.”

“All sounds good so far,” I said.

“It was until I went to powder my nose. And when I returned, I found Henry trying on my shoes.”

My eyebrows shot up and I snorted a laugh. “Why was he doing that?”

Helen flapped a hand in the air. “He laughed it off, said he wanted to see how small my feet were. But I watched him from the doorway for a few seconds, and he was really interested in the shoes. He turned them over in his hands a couple of times, and even smelled the inside.”

“Yuck! Even your feet can’t smell good.”

Helen wrinkled her nose. “I’m worried he might be one of those foot fetishists. You know, the kind who like to take photos of women’s feet and get intimate with their toes.”

“Well, there are worse fetishes to have,” I said.

Helen nodded. “Henry made a big joke of it and promised to buy me a new pair of shoes if he damaged these. But he didn’t, they were fine. But it’s still a bit strange. And he asked me where I got them from.”

“Maybe he’s going to surprise you by getting you a new pair anyway?”

“Maybe he is. That would be nice of him.” Helen shrugged, as she curled her feet underneath her. “Anyway, how was your date with Zach? Get lots of muddy walking done?”

“We did some,” I said. “And, well, I had an interesting date, too.”

“Go on, what happened?”

“Zach asked me to move in with him.”

Helen grinned at me. “That’s great news, isn’t it?”

“It is good news,” I said. “Zach’s got so many plans. He’s talking about starting a business and earning enough so I can work part time.”

“Do you want to work part time?”

“Not really,” I said. “Although, if I had more time, maybe I could get a hobby.”

“I don’t see you as much of a knitter or a baker,” said Helen.

“Not that kind of hobby,” I said. “But I could do more walking, and get into birdwatching. And, as always, the ghosts will keep me busy.”

“Oh, I think I get it,” said Helen. “Zach’s thinking if you work fewer hours, you won’t come into contact with so many ghosts.”

I nodded. “I saw straight through his plan as well. After I asked him about it, he became a bit dismissive, and said moving in together was just an idea. I do want to move in with Zach, but I want to do it for the right reasons, not because he’s worried about me getting into trouble.”

“Zach loves you,” said Helen. “He’s going to have to accept what you do when it comes to ghosts.”

“I hope he can.” My gaze rested on Helen’s abandoned high heels, and a jolt of inspiration shot through me. I jumped to my feet. “Your shoes!”

Helen gave me a puzzled look. “I know, they’re lovely.”

“No, I mean your shoes.” I slapped my forehead and then regretted it when my bruise protested. “Women’s clothes!”

“Slow down,” said Helen. “What are you talking about?”

“I found women’s clothes in Ranulph’s closet,” I said. “He’s our killer.”

Helen’s mouth fell open. “You’re being serious? You think Ranulph dressed up in women’s clothes to kill Katie and her boyfriend?”

“He might not have dressed up deliberately,” I said. “What if he’s into wearing women’s clothes, just like Henry is into your shoes? Ranulph could have been wearing ladies’ clothes when he killed Katie and Johnny.”

Helen’s eyes widened. “So, the ghosts are confused because they remember seeing someone in women’s clothing when they died. Ranulph could have been wearing those clothes to hide his identity. You don’t know for sure he’s a cross-dresser.”

I rubbed my forehead as I puzzled through the clues. “I’m not sure. And I assumed the clothes in his closet were spares Lady Camilla kept in his room. But what if they weren’t? What if he secretly likes to dress up? He has to be our killer!”

“A cross-dressing killer,” said Helen. “That’s a new one on us.”

“We need to find out for sure,” I said. “Let’s go back to Ranulph’s room and have another look at those dresses I found.”

Helen groaned. “Do we have to go to that pigsty again?”

“We’ll just look at the women’s clothes,” I said. “I didn’t check them properly, and it will be easy to see if they’ve been tailored for Lady Camilla. She’s tiny. And Ranulph, well, he’s—”

“A chubby slob,” said Helen.

“He does carry a few extra pounds,” I said. “And if the clothes have been tailored for him, we’ll know. It will show he’s serious about this cross-dressing business and wasn’t wearing a disguise to confuse anyone who saw him killing Katie and Johnny.”

“I’m not sure what’s worse, disguising yourself as a woman to kill someone, or a man dressing up as a woman because he enjoys it,” said Helen.

I shrugged. “It’s not so bad. We all have our little quirks.”

“You’d be happy to walk in on Zach dressed in your favorite outfit?”

I bit my bottom lip. “Okay, you make a good point.”

“Let’s go see what that little creep is hiding from us,” said Helen.

We crept up the stairs of the main house, Flipper by my side, and stopped by Ranulph’s bedroom door.

“You go in first,” whispered Helen.

I pressed my ear to the door and then backed away. “I can hear noises in there. We’d better not risk it.”

“What do we do now?” asked Helen. “If Ranulph’s in there, we can’t check the clothes.”

“Let’s hide in the room opposite,” I said. “It’s a spare bedroom. We can wait until Ranulph goes to the bathroom, and then sneak in and have a quick look.”

We dashed across the corridor and slid through the door, leaving it ajar so we would easily spot when Ranulph was on the move.

Helen went to put the light on, but I stopped her. “We need to stay in the dark. Don’t want anyone spotting us.”

Helen knelt and peered through the door crack. “If Lady Camilla catches us in here, we’ll be out of our jobs.”

“She goes to bed early,” I said. “She’s probably already in bed reading by now. And her room isn’t close to Ranulph’s. There’s no reason for her to come along here.”

Ten minutes of waiting, and my back was aching from where I was hunched over, looking through the gap at Ranulph’s door.

“Looks like he isn’t planning on leaving his room any time soon,” muttered Helen. “Let’s see if I can find something for us to sit on.”

I heard her stumbling around in the darkness and cursing a few times before she returned with a chair. “Only one, but it’s better than nothing. I’ll take the first sitting session, you can go next.”

“You’re such a good friend.”

“I’m the one who’s been wearing high heels all day,” said Helen as she sat down.

“I know what to get you for your next birthday,” I said. “You can never go wrong with a good pair of walking boots.”

“If you ever get me walking boots as a present, I’m disowning you as my best friend,” whispered Helen.

I chuckled in the darkness and then peered through the gap again. “It sounds like Ranulph is on the move. I think he’s coming out.”

“Make sure he doesn’t see you,” whispered Helen.

We backed away from the door, and a few seconds later, I heard a door opening and closing from across the corridor.

“It’s getting late,” whispered Helen. “Wonder where he’s going?”

“Hopefully he hasn’t convinced some poor woman to go on a date with him.”

After a second of waiting, I opened the door and poked my head out. Ranulph was at the top of the stairs, a black bag slung over his right shoulder.

“Looks like he’s going away for a few days.” I stepped into the corridor and gestured for Helen and Flipper to follow me.

“You don’t think he’s trying to make a break for it,” said Helen. “Since you’ve been questioning him about Katie, he might be worried you’re on to him, and he’s going to try to skip the country.”

“We’d better follow him to see what he’s doing if that’s the case,” I said. “We don’t want him to escape.”

“What about the clothes?” Helen pointed to Ranulph’s bedroom door.

“This is more important,” I said. “If you’re right, and Ranulph’s trying to get away, we need to stop him.”

The three of us hurried down the stairs, just as the sound of the front door closing echoed along the hallway.

I flung open the door, and we dashed onto the gravel driveway. I spotted Ranulph turning right and heading towards the garage.

“He must be getting a car,” I said, as we continued to follow him.

“Be careful. Make sure he doesn’t run you over,” said Helen. “You know what he’s like when he gets behind the wheel.”

I ran after Ranulph, pausing by the corner of the house and poking my head around the building.

“What’s he doing?” whispered Helen, as she caught up with me.

“He’s gone straight past the garage,” I said.

Helen looked around the corner. “He’s heading towards Billy’s apartment.”

“He did say they hung out together. Maybe they’re having a boy’s night in, and he’s not running off.”

“That’s something I’d rather not see,” said Helen. “Billy and Ranulph getting drunk together won’t be fun to watch.”

My hand went to my mouth. “When I was searching Billy’s bedroom, I found a drawer full of women’s underwear. I guessed it was from the women he dated, but what if it’s more than that? He could be a cross-dresser as well.”

Helen grimaced. “Now that’s an unpleasant thought. Billy pulling on a pair of women’s silky panties, and Ranulph strutting around in some of his mom’s tailored dresses. It makes me queasy.”

“We need to go and take a look,” I said. “See what they’re up to.”

We hurried on, stopping by a window in Billy’s apartment. I peered through and immediately ducked. Ranulph was inside, removing his shirt.

“Are they in there dressed up as women?” asked Helen.

“No, but I couldn’t face watching Ranulph taking his clothes off.”

Helen shuddered. “Don’t blame you there. That image would give me nightmares for a month.”

I waited a moment before we both peered through the window.

Helen stuffed her fist into her mouth, and a muffled groan came out.

My eyes widened as I stared at Ranulph. He was dressed in a long, pale-pink, silk gown, his large belly straining the fabric’s seams. He also wore long white gloves, a white feather boa, and had on a high pair of pink heels.

I pulled Helen back down beside me. “That’s it! Ranulph must be the killer.”

There was the sound of muted laughter from inside, and we looked through the window again.

“Oh no, it can’t be,” I said, as Billy strutted out of his bedroom, looking like a low-class hooker, wearing a black garter belt, fishnet stockings, a push-up bra, padded with goodness knows what, and a pair of heels so high they made my eyes water just looking at them.

“So, Billy could be the killer,” said Helen in a hushed tone, as we watched the bizarre scene unfold in front of us. “But if he was wearing that outfit on the night he killed Katie and Johnny, you’d think they’d remember something so... revealing.”

I nodded, too stunned to speak. Billy’s chest hair sprouted out in all directions, and his leg hair was almost as dense, as it peeked through the holes in the fishnets he wore.

“I don’t feel so good.” I bent over and took a couple of deep breaths. “This is getting ridiculous.”

“You’re not the only one feeling bad,” muttered Helen. She let out a squeak and fell to her knees, her breath gasping out of her. “No, I don’t believe it.”

“Now what?” I looked through the window again and gulped. Henry was strutting around the room, wearing what looked like one of Lady Camilla’s cream silk dresses.

Chapter 19

Helen looked up at me with wide eyes. “Tell me that wasn’t Henry I just saw. I didn’t see him wearing women’s clothing as well.”

I knelt next to her and grabbed hold of her hand. “Pretty sure it’s your Henry in there. Unless he has a really ugly sister.”

“He’s not my Henry. Not if he goes around wearing women’s clothing on the sly. It makes sense now, why he wanted my shoes.” Helen thumped her head back against the wall.

I pressed a finger to my lips. “Don’t want them to hear we’re out here.”

“I won’t mind if they do know they’ve been seen,” said Helen. “I want to talk to Henry about what he thinks he’s doing.”

“Even so, three men in drag is a bit much for us to handle.”

“I’d be able to outrun all of them in those ridiculous shoes they’re wearing,” said Helen. “None of them look like they fit properly.”

“Let’s get out of here,” I said. “We need to talk to Katie and Johnny and find out what they remember about what their killer was wearing.”

“I wasn’t convinced by any of their outfits,” said Helen, as she hurried along next to me, Flipper at my heel. “None of them would pass as convincing females.”

I shook my head. “One of them must have killed Katie and Johnny, though.”

“Let’s try in the garage,” said Helen. “Isn’t that where you first saw the ghosts?”

“Yes. Let’s see if they can help us figure out which one of these cross dressers is their killer.”

We ran to the garage, and Flipper whined as we drew nearer. That was a good sign our ghosts were about.

I pulled open the door and flicked on the light. Flipper paced around the garage, his tail up and his nose pointed towards the wreck of the red car that had been towed back to the house.

“Katie, Johnny,” I said. “Are you here? We have an idea about who killed you.”

A swirl of cold air passed my face, and Katie shot into view, closely followed by Johnny, who had an anxious expression on his face.

“They’re here,” I said to Helen, before turning to Katie. “Are you sure it was a woman who killed you both?”

Katie nodded.

“It couldn’t have been someone dressed to look like a woman?”

Katie tilted her head to one side and then turned to Johnny. He shrugged, but then shook his head.

“It’s just that, well, we’ve got a few suspects, all male, but all who like to wear women’s clothes,” I said. “Think carefully, was your killer a woman? No doubt about it?”

Katie’s eyes widened and she turned and grabbed hold of Johnny’s hands. They gestured to each other and had a conversation neither Helen nor I could hear before Katie turned back to me.

“Could your killer have been a man in disguise?” I asked.

Katie raised her eyebrows but then gave a slow nod. She raised her hand a good foot above her head.

“It was a tall woman you saw before you died?” I asked her.

She nodded again and pointed at Johnny.

“Someone about Johnny’s height?”

Another nod from Katie.

“Who’s the tallest out of Billy, Ranulph, and Henry?” I tried to picture them, but all I got were lurid flashes of them wearing their finest ladies’ outfits, and the heels they all wore didn’t help when it came to getting their true heights.

Helen gave a sigh and bit her bottom lip. “That would be Henry.”

Chapter 20

“Henry’s our killer?” I shot an apprehensive look at Helen, who’d gone worryingly pale.

She waved a hand in the air. “You told me to be careful of him, but I wouldn’t listen.”

I patted her shoulder and looked at Katie and Johnny. “Did either of you have a falling out with Henry before you died?”

Katie shook her head and Johnny shrugged.

“They don’t have a problem with Henry,” I said to Helen. “It might not be him.”

“But he’s the tallest,” said Helen, as she sank against the garage wall. “It must be him. I’ve fallen for a killer.”

“We don’t know for sure.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me. “But we need to find out.”

“You want me to snoop on my future husband, don’t you,” said Helen, her expression glum.

“He won’t be anyone’s future husband if he killed Katie and Johnny.” I took a deep breath. “But, yes, I think we do need to go and see what he’s up to.”

Katie shot in front of my face and gestured to me, before pointing out of the garage.

“Calm down,” I said to her. “We don’t know for certain Henry is involved in your deaths, but we’re going to find out more. Don’t go disappearing on me now. And I promise I’ll find you and give you an update as soon as I can.”

Katie pressed a cold hand to my face, before blinking out of sight with Johnny.

I looked over at Helen and saw her head hanging low. “Are you up to this? I can investigate Henry on my own if you don’t want to be involved.”

Helen pulled in a long breath and then straightened her shoulders. “I’ll be fine. If Henry is the killer, then I need to know. No point in wasting my affections on a cross-dressing killer.”

“Yes, the cross-dressing issue is the most important one here,” I said, as I shook my head. “I can’t see you sharing your wardrobe with him.”

“Exactly.” Helen shoved open the garage door and stalked out in front of me. “We need to get this sorted out either way. If I’m intending to get married to a murderer, then it’s important I know all the facts.”

I grinned at her. Helen was made of stern stuff. She’d get over this.

We hurried back to Billy’s apartment and stationed ourselves outside a window. From the sound of the raucous laughter inside, they were enjoying themselves. Maybe they didn’t find high heels such a pain to wear as I did.

“I hope they’re not too long,” muttered Helen.

“Let’s get comfortable.” I sat on the ground and rested my back against the wall. Flipper lay next to me and placed his head on my knee.

After some muttering, Helen joined us. “We should bust in and accuse them all. Might make one of them confess, or at least point the finger at somebody else.”

“Or, we could end up in a room full of angry men, and one of them is a killer. I’m not keen on doing that.”

“It would save us having to get damp butts sitting out here,” said Helen.

“I’m happy to have a damp bottom if it means I get to stay alive.”

Helen grumbled some more, before settling into a comfortable position and leaning back against the wall.

“You take the first watch,” I said.

“What are you doing to do?”

“Some deep thinking.”

Two hours later, I jerked my head up.

“Glad you’re back with us,” muttered Helen. “You left me undefended.”

“Flipper’s here to look after you. And I wasn’t sleeping.” I wiped my hand across my mouth, and noticed Flipper was sound asleep next to me. “Did I miss anything?”

“The party’s breaking up,” said Helen. “Someone just slammed a door. That’s what woke you.”

“We need to follow Henry, then,” I said. “See where he goes next.”

“I hate spying on my boyfriend,” whispered Helen. “It feels so deceitful.”

“He could be a killer,” I said. “If he is, then he’s hiding a big, horrible secret from you. And you should never hide things in a new relationship.”

“Definitely not things like that,” said Helen. “Come on, I can see Henry. He’s walking across the garden towards his estate. He showed me a shortcut when we were on our date.”

“Lead the way.” I scrambled to my feet.

I looked down at Flipper who was still snoring softly on the ground. “Why aren’t you complaining about Flipper being asleep?”

“He’s a dog,” said Helen. “Sleeping is his favorite hobby.”

“He’s supposed to be keeping us safe,” I said.

“That’s only relevant when it comes to ghosts,” said Helen.

I patted Flipper on the head, and he blearily opened his eyes and blinked at me. “Some guard dog you are. We’ve got suspects to track, and there’s a killer on the loose.”

Flipper stood and shook his fur, before looking at me with his pale-blue eyes, his ears erect.

I pointed in the direction Henry was going. “Track that suspect.”

Helen and I followed after Flipper, who was pointing his nose in the right direction. I honestly didn’t know if he was tracking Henry or the scent of a pheasant.

“How are you going to get Henry to confess?” asked Helen.

“Not sure yet,” I said. “The only evidence we’ve got to go on is his cross-dressing and the insistence by two ghosts that they were killed by a tall, ugly woman.”

“You could tell him you had a vision or a dream that Katie was telling you Henry killed her.”

“That would make me sound crazy,” I said.

We both ducked behind a tree as Henry came into view. He was no longer wearing women’s clothes and had on dark slacks and a zipped-up black jacket.

After a few seconds, I ducked my head around the tree and saw Henry was ahead of us. “Let’s keep going.”

“I know where he keeps a backdoor key,” said Helen. “We can creep inside and have a look around.”

“What should we look for?”

“Not sure,” said Helen. “More women’s clothes?”

“That will only prove the cross-dressing angle, not that Henry’s the killer.”

Helen wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to have to throw those high heels away. I’ll feel dirty every time I put my foot in them, knowing Henry has his designs on them.”

“You should be flattered,” I said. “Shows you have good taste.”

“You mean, it shows I buy shoes that men who dress in drag prefer. That’s hardly a compliment.”

I gave a shrug. Helen had a point. “You know, there’s always the walking boots.”

“Don’t say another word.” Helen scowled at me. “Let’s focus on Henry.”

We hurried the rest of the way to Henry’s house. It was on a similarly grand scale to Lady Camilla’s, although it looked worn around the edges, with paint peeling off several windowsills and the garden needing attention.

“Here’s the key,” whispered Helen, as she lifted a fake rock from the ground and opened a hidden compartment. “He had to use it when he brought me here. He’d left his own set of keys inside.” She eased the key into the lock and it turned silently.

We walked into a dark kitchen and hurried to the door.

Helen pressed her ear to the wooden door. “I can’t hear him. Maybe he’s gone straight to bed.”

“How much of the house did you see when you were here?”

“Most of it,” whispered Helen. “The rooms upstairs are mainly empty. It’s just him living here.”

“You saw everywhere?” I asked. “None of the rooms were out of bounds?”

Helen scratched her chin. “There was one room I didn’t get to see. He told me it was a box room, a place where he stored things he didn’t know what to do with.”

“Then we start there.” I took a deep breath and gently eased the kitchen door open. I peered out into an unlit hallway. A thick, deep-red carpet ran the entire length, muffling our footsteps as we crept towards the box room. The smell of lilies filled my nose as we passed an enormous glass vase full of flowers.

Helen pointed to a door and I nodded at her. She tried the handle and it turned.

She pushed the door open, and we hurried inside, Flipper in front of us.

Helen shut the door and let out a breath. “So, where shall we start looking?”

I looked around the room. It looked nothing like a box room, it was more like a study. One wall was all bookshelves, and by the bay window was a tidy desk and a leather chair. There was a couch against the other wall, and several small tables dotted around.

“You try the desk drawers,” I said. “I’ll have a look along the bookshelves.”

Helen nodded and hurried over to the desk.

I walked to the bookshelf, Flipper nudging me with his nose as I did so. I paused and looked down at him. “Are you sensing something?”

Flipper looked up at me and blinked, before pointing his nose at the books.

“That’s where I’m going,” I said to him. “Are you picking up an interesting smell?”

Flipper placed his nose on the ground and snuffled along the floorboards, stopping by the books, before he raised his head and continued his investigation.

I followed Flipper’s progress, pressing my hands against all the books that interested him. Maybe Henry had hidden documents between the pages of some books, information he didn’t want anybody to see.

Flipper kept working along the bookshelf, and after I’d opened a few of the books and not found anything useful, I came to the conclusion he was simply hunting out an intriguing smell.

I turned and looked at Helen. “Anything in the drawers?”

“Nothing so far,” said Helen, as she shoved a drawer shut. “Mainly files, and old mobile phones. He seems to like to collect them from the number he has.”

“I thought Flipper was on to something, but I’m not so sure now,” I said.

“Better not be much longer,” whispered Helen. “Henry might come down and hear us moving around.”

“Don’t think we’re going to find much here anyway.” I leaned against the bookshelf and heard a quiet click behind me.

I turned to discover the source of the noise. One of the books had shifted forward on a shelf. “Helen, come and see this.”

Helen hurried over and stared at the books. “Was that what Flipper was trying to show you?”

I grabbed hold of the book and pulled it towards me. The entire shelf next to me shifted, and a gap appeared.

“It’s a hidden room!” said Helen.

“You could be right,” I said. “But what’s Henry hiding?” I squashed my fingers into the gap and pulled the heavy shelf open. My eyes widened when I saw the contents.

Helen grabbed my arm. “Photographs of Katie?”

I nodded and stepped closer. The space was only small, you couldn’t squeeze into it, but the entire wall was covered with photographs and pictures of Katie. There were also newspaper articles that had been cut out, and printouts of information about her.

“Henry was obsessed with her,” said Helen. “He was stalking Katie.”

“And she must have found out,” I said. “And Henry had to get rid of her before she called in the police and revealed what he was up to.”

“And he seemed like such a lovely man,” sighed Helen.

“He’s clearly not.” I pulled out my mobile. “And we’d better call the police. We’ve got enough evidence to show Henry had an unhealthy obsession with Katie.”

The door to the study opened, and the overhead light flashed on. Henry stood in the doorway, wearing a silk robe covered in flowers. He looked at us, surprise clear on his face.

“Helen, Lorna! What are you both doing here?”

Chapter 21

“Henry!” Helen hurried over to him. “I was going to surprise you.”

“Indeed you have, my dear.” Henry glanced down at his feminine looking robe and tightened the belt. “But it’s a nice surprise. And you’ve brought Lorna, and her dog as well.”

I attempted to close the bookshelf, so Henry wouldn’t see what we’d discovered. “I never like Helen to go out late unaccompanied. Especially not with a man she’s just met.”

“That’s decent of you.” Henry’s gaze strayed to the bookshelf behind me and the color drained from his face.

I walked away from the shelf, my heartbeat matching my rapid step. “Perhaps we should go. It’s getting late.”

Henry held his hands up. “No! I mean, since you’re here, you must stay.” He walked into the room and shut the door behind him.

“Lorna’s right, it is awfully late,” said Helen, as she shot me a worried glance. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have come unannounced.”

Henry’s gaze remained on the bookshelves. “Oh dear, you’ve stumbled onto something you shouldn’t have.”

“The books, you mean,” I said, as I tried to make my expression as innocent as possible.

Henry sighed, as he walked over and pulled on a book on the bookshelf, reopening the hidden panel to show Katie’s pictures. “I mean this. That’s what you were looking at when I came in.”

“You did say you dated,” said Helen. “It’s not so terrible to keep a few photographs of a former girlfriend.”

Henry waved his hand at the pictures. “I know what this looks like, though. This isn’t normal. Even I recognize that.”

I glanced at Helen. “Why have you got so many pictures of Katie hidden in there?” Henry scrubbed a hand down his face. “Marrying Katie was my only hope.”

“What do you mean?” asked Helen.

Henry sank against the bookshelf. “I’m sorry to say, I’m in debt. Rather a lot of debt, actually. I’m being blackmailed, I just had a big tax bill arrive, and this beautiful place eats money all day. I’ve been given a quote to have a new heating system installed, and almost fainted when I saw how much it was going to be.”

“What are you being blackmailed about?” I asked. My gaze went to Henry’s bare legs, and I noticed there was no hair on them.

“I have a... hobby that I don’t share with many people,” said Henry, as he twisted his hands together in front of him. “Some don’t approve. And one individual has gone as far as to extort money out of me in order to keep my hobby a secret.”

“You mean the cross-dressing,” said Helen.

Henry’s eyebrows shot up, but then he sighed and nodded. “You know about that.”

“We saw you tonight,” I said. “You, Billy, and Ranulph all wearing women’s clothing.”

“I can’t really explain it,” said Henry. “I just enjoy it. Don’t you find, there’s nothing more pleasurable than feeling silk against bare skin?”

I bit my bottom lip. “It does feel nice.”

“And legs look so much better in a pair of high heels.” Henry looked at Helen’s feet, and a soft smile crossed his face. “You have excellent taste in footwear, my dear.”

Helen blinked rapidly. “Well, thanks for that.”

“So, what’s with the crazy person-wall, and covering it with information about Katie?” I asked.

“It was part of my plan to get out of debt. I had to get to know Katie better,” said Henry. “I wanted to find out what made her tick and needed to make sure she fell in love with me so we could get married - and quickly. But then things got tricky when her new man came on the scene.”

“Did you love Katie?” I asked.

Henry shook his head. “She was a sweet girl, but too young for me. But I had to have the money, and I wouldn’t have minded being married to her.”

“Did she know about your liking for ladies’ clothes?” asked Helen.

“I think so,” said Henry. “But she didn’t mind. She was a broadminded girl, not stuck in the traditional ways many of the people I spend time with are. If she had grown to love me, she would have accepted the dressing up as a part of me.”

“It is unusual,” I said, “but there’s nothing wrong with it. You’re not doing any harm.”

Henry nodded. “That’s what I think. And Katie had such a lovely dress sense. I had hoped, once we’d been together for some time, we could share a wardrobe. I get my clothes specially tailored, and Katie liked her bright outfits, the same as me.”

“But she refused your offer of marriage?” I asked. “And that’s why you killed her.”

Henry hung his head. “I didn’t get the opportunity to propose. And I didn’t kill Katie. I’d never do such a thing.”

I glared at him. “But you know something about her disappearance?”

“I do.” Henry’s shoulders slumped and he blew out a big breath. “I know what happened to her. And I know where her body is.”

Helen’s hand flew to her mouth. “You know Katie’s dead?”

Henry raised his head. “I do. And I’m ashamed to say, I helped hide her body. And the body of her nice young man, Johnny.”

My breath caught in my chest, and I struggled to breathe. “What happened?”

Henry wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “No, I shouldn’t tell you. I’ll get into so much trouble.”

“Don’t you dare wimp out on us!” snapped Helen. “If you know anything about this, then you owe it to Katie to help her. How would you feel, if someone killed you and hid your body? You’d get no rest. You’d be lying rotting in an unmarked grave. Show some respect to Katie. If you say you liked her when she was alive, then do the decent thing now.”

“And I’ve already called the police,” I said. “They’ll be here soon, and you won’t be able to hide anything from them.” I looked at the mobile in my hand and realized I’d accidentally sent a dozen exclamation marks to Zach’s mobile phone by mistake. I decided not to mention that little mistake to Henry. If he thought the police were coming, he’d be more likely to open up.

Henry’s shoulders dropped lower. “You’re right, of course. This has been weighing heavily on my mind. I’ve even been thinking about selling the estate and moving away, getting away from the scene of the crime, and starting somewhere new.”

“Katie was killed nearby?” I asked, as I pushed my mobile into my pocket.

“In the garage on Lady Camilla’s estate. She died in her car, sitting next to Johnny.”

“It wasn’t a car crash?” I asked.

“No, nothing like that. Katie died from carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Henry. “Her killer put a hose on the exhaust, and then fed it through the window. I hear it’s not a terrible way to die. She wouldn’t have been in pain.”

“That doesn’t make it acceptable,” said Helen. “So, who killed Katie and Johnny?”

Henry chewed on the side of his thumbnail. “It was her brother, Ranulph.”

“I knew it!” said Helen. “He’s such a snake.”

“He is,” said Henry. “I only spend time with him because he doesn’t judge me for dressing in women’s clothes. He enjoys it more than I do, and he does know a good supplier of heels.”

“Why did he kill his sister and Johnny?” I asked.

“He was jealous of her,” said Henry. “And he absolutely hated Johnny.”

“That’s no reason to kill them,” I said. “What did either of them do to make him feel like that?”

“You misunderstand me,” said Henry. “Ranulph was obsessed with Katie.”

“Obsessed how?” I asked.

“Well, he only dated women who looked like his sister,” said Henry.

“Ranulph wanted to be with Katie?” I opened and shut my mouth a few times. “He loved her as more than a sister?”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” said Helen.

“That’s gross in every possible way,” I said.

“Exactly my thoughts,” said Henry. “I believe his desire for her was muddled with lots of other emotions. Ranulph was always talking about how Katie stood in his way, and he needed to get rid of her. He was delighted when Lady Camilla started talking about disinheriting Katie when she got involved with Johnny.”

“But surely Ranulph wanted Katie nearby if he was so obsessed with her,” I said.

“Ranulph hoped that if Katie was out of the way, he’d stop thinking about her,” said Henry. “He never openly revealed how he felt to her, but Katie didn’t need to be a genius to figure out his feelings were not healthy. She kept out of his way as much as possible, and when they did meet, they always argued. Ranulph kept up this disguise of hating her, when in fact, it was just the opposite.”

“He’s even more twisted than I realized,” said Helen.

Henry nodded. “So, what now?”

“You need to tell the police,” I said. “Ranulph needs to be brought to justice.”

Henry swallowed loudly. “I will confess to my part. Although I did not harm Katie or Johnny in any way. I simply moved the bodies.”

“Why did you help Ranulph?” asked Helen.

“He’s my blackmailer. Ranulph threatened to reveal my cross-dressing activities if I didn’t help,” said Henry. “But I’m not the only one involved in this. Billy is, too. We all like getting dressed up, and Ranulph held it over our heads, threatening to expose our secret. Lady Camilla would be so distraught if she discovered what we liked to do. Billy would have lost his job, and I would have lost a good friend. Neither of us wanted to risk Ranulph revealing everything. And he’d do it as well, just to be spiteful.”

“Didn’t you think about going to the police after Ranulph told you what he’d done?” I asked. “Refused to help him and told them about all of this?”

“Of course,” said Henry. “But I have a reputation to keep, and if I lose that, then I won’t be able to get the finances to keep this place going. I’m barely managing as it is. If I lose my reputation, then that’s it, I’ll be out on the streets with only my high heels and a bucket load of debt I cannot pay off.”

“And Billy was willing to go along with this so he can keep his job on the estate?” I asked.

“Billy loves it here,” said Henry. “He has an easy life. Lady Camilla leaves him to get on with things, so he has lots of free time. And I know he’s light-fingered. He probably steals thousands of pounds worth of things from the estate every year. Lady Camilla has so much, she never notices when a few things go missing. He didn’t want to lose any of that. And Ranulph is persuasive. He said it was just two bodies, no one would ever know what happened. He told us not to think of them as people but trash to be removed.”

“You’re all sick,” said Helen. “And you should all go to prison.”

“Helen, my dear, you’re right,” said Henry. “I deserve to be punished. I thought I’d be able to keep this information to myself, and not let it get to me. But I have dreams about Katie. It worries me about what we did. And your words hit home when you said she might not be at peace. I think that’s important. Despite what happened to her and Johnny, they need to be at rest, where people can properly mourn their passing.”

“How did Ranulph get Katie and Johnny in the car?” I asked. “They would have been able to break a window if he’d locked them in.”

“He drugged them,” said Henry. “He got a bottle of champagne, and said he wanted to make amends, wanted to be involved with Katie’s life when she was a married woman. I think she was so happy he was coming to his senses that they readily drank his toast. Then all Ranulph needed to do was drag them to the garage, fix the hose on the car, and start the engine.”

“What did you do with their bodies?” asked Helen.

My stomach sank as I stared at Henry. “They’re buried in the woods on the estate, aren’t they?”

Henry blinked at me. “They are. How do you know that?”

“Because I think Flipper found where you’d buried them. He led me to their graves not long after we’d arrived.” I looked down at Flipper. “Sorry for doubting you were just messing around. You were trying to help me solve this mystery.”

Flipper looked up at me and gave me one of his doggy smiles. All was forgiven.

“Ranulph chose the place,” said Henry. “He said he didn’t want his sister too far away. I guess, even in death, he wanted her close to him.”

Helen and I both pulled grossed-out faces.

Helen looked at me. “What do we do now?”

“Talk to Ranulph,” I said.

Chapter 22

“Do you think that’s wise?” asked Henry, as he shut the panel on Katie’s pictures. “He wasn’t safe to be around before you knew he was a killer.”

“And you are?” asked Helen. “You’ve lied to us all. You’ve lied to me about who you really are, and you’ve lied to yourself. You shouldn’t be ashamed of what you like to do. There’s nothing wrong with liking nice things.”

“There is something wrong with helping Ranulph hide two bodies, though,” I muttered.

Henry hung his head again. “You’re a lovely girl, Helen. If things were different, I think we would have had a future together.”

“Not anymore!” snapped Helen. “And, I don’t share my clothes with anyone.”

“I don’t suppose a prisoner who likes women’s clothing is ever going to be on anyone’s list of must-haves when it comes to marriage,” said Henry glumly.

I shook my head at him. “Don’t go anywhere. We need to find out where Ranulph is and get the police involved.”

Henry raised his hands and moved to sit at the desk. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m just glad the truth is out. It feels like such a relief not to be hiding it from people anymore.”

“Let’s go.” I grabbed Helen’s elbow and propelled her out of the study and through the back door, Flipper following closely behind us.

“Are we really going to find Ranulph?” asked Helen, as we scurried through the night. “As Henry said, he’s not safe to be around.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “We can’t give Henry the opportunity to alert Ranulph that we’ve discovered his secret. What if he tries to get away before he’s arrested? Katie and Johnny won’t have any justice.”

“You want to apprehend him yourself?” asked Helen. “Can’t the police do that when they get here?”

I pulled out my phone. “Well, I never dialled their number. I misdialed by mistake and sent a message to Zach when Henry surprised us in the study. Zach’s going to think I’m an idiot when he receives it.”

“The police aren’t coming?” Helen’s eyes widened. “Perhaps we need to call them now?”

“We’ll call them on our way to the house,” I said. “We have to keep an eye on Ranulph, just in case he tries to do anything silly, like run away or move the bodies.”

Helen shuddered. “That’s a gruesome thought, but I wouldn’t put anything past that nasty creep.”

“Let’s make sure he doesn’t get an opportunity to do anything like that.” We dashed across Henry’s estate, jumped over the fence, and ran towards Lady Camilla’s house.

Just as we reached the front door, a flash of headlights dazzled me, and I raised my hand to shield my eyes and peered into the gloom. It looked like Zach’s Land Rover coming towards us. “You go inside and see if Lady Camilla is about.”

“She must be asleep by now,” said Helen, following my gaze and seeing the Land Rover.

“We don’t want to give her a fright if we go charging in and accuse her son of being a murderer.”

Helen nodded. “I’ll go and have a quick check. Looks like help has arrived, anyway.” She dashed into the house.

I turned, just as the Land Rover cruised to a stop by the front door, and the window wound down. It was Zach!

“What are you doing here?” I hurried over to the vehicle.

“You sent me a weird message,” said Zach. He lifted his phone and showed me lots of exclamation marks on the screen. “I was in the area and thought I’d better drop by to make sure everything was okay.”

My gaze went to the passenger seat, where a broad, darkly-stubbled man sat. He looked similar to Zach, but with more muscles and dark chest hair poking out the top of a checked shirt.

“This is Gunner, my brother,” said Zach, gesturing to the man next to him. “He arrived today and wants to spend a bit of time in the countryside, away from the work stress in London.”

“In truth, I got so curious about this mysterious girlfriend Zach kept talking about that I had to come to see her for myself.” His accent had an East London twang to it. “You must be Lorna. It’s nice to meet you and good to see Zach hasn’t made you up.”

I nodded a greeting to Gunner. “I’m glad you’re here. Wouldn’t mind some help.”

Zach raised his eyebrows. “Let me guess, the ghosts are being troublesome?”

Gunner leaned forward in his seat. “Did you say ghosts?”

Zach waved his hand in the air. “Long story. Lorna’s got something of a special talent.”

Gunner grinned at me. “I look forward to hearing about that.”

Flipper ran over and rested his paws on the side of the Land Rover, peering into the back window. Jessie was inside and gave a gentle woof when she saw her best friend.

“What’s the problem?” Zach opened the door, and let Jessie out so she could greet Flipper.

“There’s a killer we need to arrest,” I said.

Gunner shot out of his seat and hurried around the vehicle. “You say you found a killer?”

“I think so,” I said, remembering Gunner was someone high-up in the police.

“What evidence do you have?” asked Gunner.

I pinched my lips together. I didn’t know Gunner well enough to tell him I’d been given clues by ghosts. “I’ve got a confession from someone who assisted in hiding the bodies. He wants to come clean about his involvement. I’m sure he’ll tell you what happened. But he pointed the finger at someone else as the killer.”

Gunner drew his shoulders back and flexed his biceps. “We’d better go and speak to this killer.”

Helen ran out of the front door and dashed over to us. “Everything’s okay inside.” Her gaze went to Gunner, and her eyes widened.

“Zach got my odd text message,” I said to her. “And he brought along his brother, Gunner.”

Helen ran her hands over her hair. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” said Gunner, giving her a big grin. “Should we go and see about this killer?”

I led everybody to the front door, but Gunner placed a hand on my arm before I could open it and take a step through.

“Let me go in first. This individual might not be safe if he’s confronted.”

“We know what we’re doing,” said Helen sharply, as she frowned at Gunner. “We’ve never needed your help in the past with this sort of thing.”

“I’m sure you don’t, gorgeous,” said Gunner. “But I’ve arrested more criminals than you’ve had tubes of lipstick.”

Helen opened her mouth to speak, but Gunner raised a finger. “We need to go in quietly. We don’t want to spook anybody.”

“Lady Camilla is asleep,” hissed Helen, her cheeks bright pink. “I’ve already checked.”

“So where’s the perp?” asked Gunner.

“Most likely in his bedroom,” I said. “We can show you where it is.”

Gunner eased open the front door. “Let’s go. But keep quiet.”

I led Gunner to the bottom of the stairs and was about to go up when he stopped me again. “Give me directions. I’ll take it from here.”

“That’s never going to happen,” said Zach quietly. “Lorna likes to do things her own way.”

I flashed Zach a glare. “Nothing wrong with being an independent woman.”

Gunner grinned at me. “Not for a second. Which bedroom is it?”

“Turn right at the top, and it’s the third door on the left,” I said. “But we’re coming with you.”

“Yes, we are,” said Helen. “We figured this out on our own. We didn’t have any interference from you.”

“I’m not interfering, beautiful. I’m making sure you both stay safe.” Gunner tweaked a strand of Helen’s hair.

Helen stepped back and folded her arms over her chest. “Maybe we don’t need anyone to keep us safe. We do a good job on our own.”

Zach coughed into his hand and looked at the ground.

I sighed. “Fine. You two go up first. But we want to see what happens. And neither of you has ever met Ranulph Reynold before, so you’ll have no idea if you’re speaking to the right person.”

“Lorna has a point,” muttered Zach. “They need to come with us to show you you’re arresting the right guy.”

“Very well. But stay back, I don’t want either of you getting in harm’s way,” said Gunner. He walked softly up the stairs and stopped outside of Ranulph’s bedroom. He looked over at me and raised his eyebrows.

I nodded, feeling my blood pumping through my veins. We were so close to catching Katie and Johnny’s killer, so close to getting them justice.

Gunner rapped on the bedroom door. “Ranulph Reynold. This is the police.” His tone was strong and authoritative and I heard Helen give a little gasp as he spoke.

After a few seconds of waiting, the bedroom door cracked open, and Ranulph’s dark eye peered through the gap. “The police? Who let you in?”

“I did,” I said. “They have a few questions about Katie and Johnny’s disappearance.”

“What about it?” Ranulph’s voice went high and squeaky.

Gunner pushed against the door, making the gap wider.

Ranulph hurried back a few steps and wrapped his arms around his chest. He was dressed in a pair of too tight red, silky underpants, six-inch black patent heels, and had a bright-pink feather boa around his neck. Other than that, he was naked.

“You can’t barge in here,” stammered Ranulph. “Don’t you need a warrant or something?”

“I’m not here to do a search,” said Gunner. “But I have reason to believe you are involved in a missing person’s inquiry.”

“Two missing people,” I said.

Gunner glanced at me, and I nodded at him again.

Gunner rolled his shoulders. “Someone has confessed to their involvement in these disappearances. And your name was mentioned.”

“I know nothing about any of that,” said Ranulph. “My sister ran off with some working class loser two years ago. I haven’t seen her since, and I don’t want to.”

“You told me you thought she was dead,” I said.

“Because she would never survive on her own, cut off from the family money,” said Ranulph. “She was too pampered and privileged to be independent.”

“But you know more about her disappearance, don’t you?” I said to Ranulph. “Why she cut off all contact with the family.”

Gunner cleared his throat and shot me a hard glance. “Mr. Reynold, I’d like to take you in for questioning. Nothing formal at this stage, but I want to find out more about what you know about these disappearances.”

“I won’t go,” said Ranulph. “And you can’t make me. You don’t have any proof I’m involved in this.” He jabbed a pudgy finger at me. “And you should never have let this police officer in here. I’ll have you fired for this.”

“You won’t if you’re behind bars,” said Helen. “Which is where you’ll be if you have harmed your sister and her boyfriend.”

“You’ll need proof to back up those accusations,” said Ranulph.

“Will the bodies be proof enough?” I asked Gunner. “And a confession from someone who helped Ranulph move the bodies?”

Gunner raised his eyebrows. “That would be a good start.”

“There are no bodies!” Ranulph staggered back a few steps, wobbling on his heels as he did so.

“If we go into the woods, and I instruct my dog to start digging a hole in a particular spot, he’s not going to find the remains of Katie and Johnny?” I asked.

Ranulph’s mouth fell open. “That’s not possible.”

“Perhaps you’d like to get dressed in something more... comfortable,” said Gunner. “We can discuss this in more detail at the local police station.”

“Or, I can take Flipper out, and get him to start digging,” I said.

Ranulph’s shoulders sagged. “No, don’t do that. I’ll get some clothes on.”

“Good decision,” said Gunner. He gestured me out into the corridor. “Exactly how much do you know about these murders?”

“I know Katie and Johnny were drugged, and then dragged to a car and poisoned with carbon monoxide,” I said, trying to ignore the perspiration on my top lip as Gunner’s intense gaze speared into me. “And Ranulph blackmailed two friends to help remove the bodies from the car and hide them in the woods.”

“And the person who confessed to you told you all this?”

“More or less,” I said.

Gunner scrubbed a hand across his stubbled chin. “And where will I find this person?”

“His name’s Henry Davenport. He’s the next door neighbor. And you’ll want to talk to Billy Jacob as well. He works on the estate as a handyman. Henry claims they were both involved.”

Gunner pulled out his phone and punched in a number. “I need backup. We have to cordon off the area around the bodies, and get these suspects into custody before they make a run for it.”

I nodded and let out a sigh. At last, Katie and Johnny would have justice.

A bedroom door along the corridor opened, and Lady Camilla peered out, a sleep mask tugged onto her forehead, and her hair messed up around her narrow face. “What’s going on? What are you doing lurking outside Ranulph’s bedroom?”

Chapter 23

I looked at Gunner. “Let me handle her Ladyship.”

Gunner shrugged and turned away, his phone glued to his ear.

“Lady Camilla!” I hurried towards her. “We didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Well, you have.” She squinted at me. “Who are those men? You know the rules about male guests.”

“They’re here to see Ranulph,” I said. “Perhaps you should go back to bed for now.”

“I’m awake, and I demand to know what’s going on.” Lady Camilla pushed past me and hurried to Ranulph’s bedroom door. “Ranulph, what are these people doing in my house at this time of night? I hope you aren’t planning on having a party.”

“Mommy! Don’t believe a word these men say to you,” said Ranulph, as he buttoned his shirt.

Lady Camilla looked at the discarded feather boa and black heels on the bedroom floor. “Are you entertaining a lady in here?”

“No, there’s no lady here,” said Ranulph, as he kicked fruitlessly at the feather boa, causing the feathers to drift from side to side.

Flipper darted forward, grabbed the shaking feathers and shook them between his teeth.

Lady Camilla walked into the bedroom, her nose wrinkling as she did so. “I thought I told you to clean your bedroom.”

“I’ve been busy,” said Ranulph, as he zipped up his trousers.

“You must do it when you get back,” said Lady Camilla.

“Your son will be some time,” said Gunner, as he walked back into the bedroom.

Lady Camilla spun towards him. “Why? Where are you taking him?”

Gunner pulled a wallet from his back pocket and showed his identification. “I have reason to believe your son has been involved in a crime. I’m here to find out more.”

“A crime!” Lady Camilla stared at Gunner. “What nonsense. Ranulph would never do anything silly and get himself in trouble with the law.”

“He might have done,” I said, as I gently touched Lady Camilla’s arm.

Lady Camilla glared at me and pulled her arm away as if my touch offended her. “Have you called the police on my son?”

“I’m innocent,” whined Ranulph. “Everyone is against me. Katie most of all.”

“Katie? What’s she got to do with any of this?” Lady Camilla’s hands fluttered against her chest.

“Perhaps I should make you a cup of tea?” I said to her. “Let Ranulph have a chat to the police. I’m sure this will be cleared up soon.”

“No, I want to know what’s going on,” said Lady Camilla. “Has this got something to do with my Katie?”

“I’ll put the kettle on,” said Helen, and hurried out of the room.

“Let’s go and sit down and let the police do their job,” I said to Lady Camilla.

Lady Camilla looked from me to Ranulph, and her lips pursed. “What have you done?”

“Don’t believe them,” whimpered Ranulph. “None of this is my fault. Katie was always your favorite. You shouldn’t have made me jealous.”

“Jealous? I love you both equally.”

“You liked Katie more,” said Ranulph. “You were always trying to get her married off and make sure she was provided for. But what about me? What about my feelings?”

“You have everything you need,” said Lady Camilla. “And I could have found you a wife, when you matured.” Her gaze flitted around the grubby bedroom.

“I got the basics,” said Ranulph. “But I knew you loved Katie more than me.”

“And what did you do about that?” Gunner asked Ranulph.

“Nothing!” said Ranulph.

Gunner shook his head. “Best I ask the rest of the questions at the station. I’ve spoken to the local sergeant, and he has a room waiting for us. We’ll be nice and cozy in there, and can get this sorted out.”

“Tell me what you’ve done!” snapped Lady Camilla to Ranulph, waving away Gunner, as he approached them.

“We’ll know soon enough, ma’am,” said Gunner.

“Let’s get out of their way,” I said to Lady Camilla, as I gestured to the open door.

Gunner beckoned Ranulph towards him. “You’re coming with me.”

“He won’t hurt him will he?” asked Lady Camilla, as she reluctantly let me lead her out of the room and along the corridor to the top of the stairs.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Gunner got there first as he followed behind us with Zach and Ranulph.

“I’ll take the best care of your son,” said Gunner. “He’s got a lot of useful information I need.”

Lady Camilla shook her head as she looked at Ranulph. “I hope you have not disappointed me.”

“I haven’t, I promise, Mommy,” said Ranulph.

Lady Camilla turned away and followed me and Flipper down the stairs and into the study. Helen was already there with a cup of tea.

She nodded at me, handed over the tea, and then left, giving me a quick thumbs up as she did so.

“Why don’t you take a seat?” I said to Lady Camilla.

She looked around the room, as if seeing it for the first time, before sitting on a high-backed winged chair covered in soft-pink velvet. “I’m not sure what’s going on. This is my own home, and yet everything is a mystery. What’s happening?”

I sat opposite her and rested my elbows on my knees. Flipper sat on the floor next to me, his gaze on Lady Camilla. “I received some information about your daughter’s disappearance. Someone told me Ranulph was involved, and the police are here to find out what he knows.”

“Ranulph had nothing to do with Katie going away.” Lady Camilla lifted the cup to her mouth, but then set it down without taking a sip. “I was the one who told her to leave if she wouldn’t give up that young man of hers.”

“Johnny?”

“That’s right. He wasn’t good enough for her.”

I rubbed my palms on my thighs, never liking to be the one with bad news. “The information I obtained suggests Ranulph hurt Katie before she could leave with Johnny.”

Lady Camilla’s already pale face turned white. “He would never do that. Of course, they had their squabbles, but all siblings do. That doesn’t mean he’d do anything to cause her harm. Who has been telling you these lies?”

“A close friend of yours,” I said. “And someone I believe. Henry Davenport.”

“Henry! What nonsense.” Lady Camilla flapped a hand in front of her face. “He doesn’t know anything about Ranulph or Katie.”

“He did date Katie for a while,” I said. “So he knows her well. And he’s friends with Ranulph.”

“Oh, their relationship came to nothing,” said Lady Camilla. “I thought it would be fun to get the two of them together. But it quickly became clear they weren’t suited. Henry has no clue what’s going on. He’s a sweet man, but not all that smart.”

“Henry believes Ranulph is involved in Katie’s disappearance,” I said. “He was quite convincing when we spoke. That’s why the police are here.” It wasn’t the complete truth, but I needed to convince Lady Camilla that Ranulph was not the innocent she believed he was.

Flipper jumped to his feet, and let out a whine. The air around us chilled as Katie arrived.

I gave her a discreet nod. I was glad to see her, it was time she knew the truth about her death.

“There must be some mistake,” said Lady Camilla. “Ranulph didn’t like Katie. And I know he’s not the best of men, he has a lot of growing up to do and can be childish at times. But that’s all that’s wrong with him. He’s not a killer.”

“I think it might be more than that,” I said.

Katie rested a hand on her mom’s shoulder, and Lady Camilla shuddered at the touch. “I’m sure the police will get to the bottom of this. There must have been some kind of mistake. A mistake you seem instrumental in causing.” Her blue-eyed gaze hardened as she glared at me.

“You do want to find out what happened to Katie?” I asked. “If your son was involved in her death, you can’t want that kept a secret?”

Lady Camilla drew in a shuddering breath. “I do. But not if it means I lose both of my children.”

“Katie deserves justice,” I said, pushing down the irritation I felt. She can’t seriously want creepy Ranulph kept out of prison. “As does her partner, Johnny. If Ranulph is involved, no matter in what capacity, you need to know.”

Lady Camilla tipped her head back. “I would like to know what happened to Katie. Although I cut her out of our lives, she’s still my daughter. I want to know if she’s doing well. I did not agree with her life choices, but we’re still family.”

Katie smiled sadly and nodded just as Johnny appeared by her side and took hold of her free hand.

“I think that’s a good idea,” I said.

“This is a lot to think about,” said Lady Camilla. “I need to lie down. I can feel a headache coming on.” She stood and walked to the door, her steps slow and unsteady.

“Get some rest,” I said. “I’ll be here, and so will Helen. We’ll keep an eye on things for you.”

“Thank you.” Lady Camilla nodded, her unfocused gaze shifting around the room. “I’m sure everything will be fine in the morning.”

The door clicked shut behind her and I let out a breath.

Katie hovered in front of me, an anxious look on her face.

“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked her.

Katie gave me a puzzled look and tilted her head to one side. She drifted over to the mantelpiece where a number of family photos sat and pointed at one of Ranulph in a smart black suit.

“That’s right. Your brother killed you.”

She pointed at me and shook her head.

“I know, you thought you saw a woman just before you died. That’s because Ranulph was dressed in women’s clothing,” I said.

Katie drifted towards me, her mouth open.

“Yes, it was a surprise to me when I saw Ranulph in one of his best gowns. He must have been wearing the clothes on the night he killed you. He drugged your drinks and then got Billy and Henry to put you in your car. After that, he started the engine, and let you die from carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Katie’s image wavered and I saw sparkles of light in her eyes.

“Sorry to tell you the bad news,” I said. “But I thought you’d want the truth.”

Katie nodded again. She went back to the pictures and traced her hands over them.

“You can be angry if you want to,” I said. “Ranulph was a terrible brother. I don’t think he’s all that stable, though. He might need professional help. It sounds like he has a few issues to work through.”

Johnny moved to stand next to Katie and placed an arm around her shoulders.

“You did find happiness in the end,” I said to her, as I smiled at Johnny. “I know it’s not much consolation, but at least the two of you can be at peace now. The police are getting to work on uncovering your graves. And your families will make sure you both have proper burials. You can rest easy, knowing what happened to you. Even though the information is painful to know.”

Johnny looked over at me and nodded.

“Take care of each other,” I said. “It’s the best you can do now. And rest assured, Ranulph will get what he deserves. And the police will be interested in talking to Henry and Billy about their involvement, too. The people who harmed you will be punished.”

Katie raised her sad eyes to me, and a small smile crossed her face. She mouthed the words thank you, before she and Johnny disappeared.

I sat back in the chair and rested my hand on Flipper’s head. It was all over. The ghosts could rest.

Chapter 24

I yawned and nodded a tired thanks to Helen as she poured me a mug of strong tea.

“I’m so glad we caught Katie and Johnny’s killer.” Helen sat opposite me and took a sip from her own mug. “I knew there was something wrong with Ranulph the first time we met him.”

“He definitely wasn’t the nicest of people,” I said. “And all that obsession with his sister. That was too creepy. I didn’t mention anything about that to Lady Camilla, though. She’d had enough frights for one night. Guess it will come out later, though.”

“Poor Lady Camilla,” said Helen. “Even though she acts like an ice queen, she must be shocked by what’s going on.”

“I think she secretly knew about Ranulph’s cross-dressing,” I said. “She didn’t seem surprised about the women’s clothes in Ranulph’s room, even though she tried to pretend Ranulph was hiding a woman in there with him.”

“As if that would be true. The man needs therapy,” said Helen. “I wonder if he’ll get help in prison?”

“I think he’ll get a lot of interest from the other prisoners if he decides to take that pink feather boa in with him. Not sure if that will help him, though.”

Helen snorted a laugh. “That horrible image is going to be burned into my eyes for the rest of my life. Why would anyone think red panties and a pink feather boa go together?”

I grinned at her and stifled another yawn. None of us had had any sleep after the revelation Ranulph killed Katie and Johnny. Gunner had taken Ranulph in for questioning and made sure neither Henry nor Billy escaped, sending in local officers to apprehend them and take their statements.

Sleep had been out of the question when all of that was happening, and we were running on caffeine and plenty of hot buttered crumpets.

The kitchen door banged open, and Gunner and Zach strode in.

Zach kissed me on the cheek, patted Jessie on the head, who’d spent the night snoozing with Flipper, and then sat down.

Gunner pulled out a chair and kicked his booted feet up onto the table.

Helen squeaked and glared at him. “I’ve just cleaned this table.”

Gunner smiled and removed his feet. “Any spare tea? I’m parched after all the questioning.”

“I could make another pot.” Helen kept glaring at Gunner, as she stood and went over to the kettle.

“Successful night of questioning?” I asked Gunner.

“It was,” said Gunner. “Ranulph confessed to everything without any bother. Henry was also helpful. Billy not so much. But when we told him what we knew, he had no choice but to admit his involvement.”

“What will happen to Henry and Billy?” I asked. “From the sounds of it, they weren’t involved in killing Katie and Johnny.”

“They’ll be charged as accessories to the crime,” said Gunner. “When found guilty they should go away for several years.”

“And Ranulph?” asked Helen.

“Ranulph won’t be getting out. There’s no chance he’ll get bail; he’s too much of a risk,” said Gunner.

“How’s Lady Camilla?” asked Zach.

“Amazingly, she slept through the whole night after we had our chat,” I said. “She came down to breakfast this morning and started asking where Ranulph was. I think she forgot what happened and thought it was a horrible dream. I had to remind her all over again. But after I’d done so, she asked Manfred to bring her some toast and a newspaper, and sat at the table on her own.”

“Probably in shock,” said Gunner. “Gets some people like that.”

“How’s Manfred?” asked Helen. “Does he know what’s going on?”

“I managed to grab a few words with him this morning,” I said. “He’s shocked and sad. But I think he’s relieved to finally know about Katie.”

“Poor Manfred. And I feel sorry for Lady Camilla,” said Helen. “She’s all alone now in this massive great house with no one to talk to.”

“I’m not sure how she’s going to move on from this,” I said.

“How much did you tell her?” asked Gunner. “Don’t want too much information getting out while we’re still investigating.”

“She knows her son’s been arrested,” said Helen, as she dumped a full pot of tea in front of Gunner. “We could hardly keep it a secret with you banging around last night and then dragging Ranulph off in front of her.”

“I was only doing my job, gorgeous,” said Gunner, with a grin.

“I didn’t tell her much,” I said to Gunner. “But she knows Ranulph has something to do with Katie and Johnny going missing. She’s a smart lady; she’ll figure it out herself soon enough.”

“I need to talk to her at some point,” said Gunner. “Find out what she knows. Ranulph was throwing around all sorts of wild accusations last night. And I’ve got the team coming to do some digging later, so everything will come out then, including the bodies if you’re right about their location.”

“Lady Camilla’s not involved in Katie or Johnny’s deaths,” I said. “She did cut Katie out of her life, but from the way she was talking last night, she regrets it.”

“She’ll still need to come in for questioning,” said Gunner. He looked at the stern expression on Helen’s face and smiled. “But perhaps I can get someone to take her statement here since she’s had such a shock. Don’t want the old girl keeling over.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” I said.

“So, what now?” asked Zach, as he helped himself to a buttered crumpet.

“Now, we get on with our jobs,” I said to him.

“You want to stay here?” asked Zach. “After everything that’s happened.”

“Well, maybe not for too long,” I said. “But Lady Camilla is going to need extra support now she’s on her own. At the very least, I think we need to stay and make sure she gets the help she needs. And also stay until we find out what’s going to happen with Ranulph.”

“He’s going to prison,” said Gunner.

“Yes, but that will take time,” I said. “We can’t just abandon our employer because her son’s an odious creep.”

“Even if she is meaner than a rattlesnake with the flu,” said Helen, giving a sigh as she sat down.

“Exactly,” I said. “Even rattlesnakes need love.”

“I don’t mind staying here a while longer,” said Helen. “And without the creepy Ranulph or the obnoxious Billy around, it could be a nice place.”

“Will you miss Henry?” I asked her.

Helen snorted, as she smeared jam onto her crumpet. “Not for a second.”

“You’re involved with one of the suspects?” asked Gunner, his eyebrows shooting up.

“Barely,” said Helen. “We went on one proper date.”

“And she caught him trying on her shoes on that date,” I said.

Gunner snorted tea across the table. “Princess, you have terrible taste in men.”

“My taste in men is excellent.” Helen shot me a glare. “And my private life is none of your business, Gunner.”

“I could make it my business,” said Gunner, winking at Helen. “Sounds like you’re single.”

“And I intend to stay that way,” said Helen hurriedly. She took a large bite of crumpet and blinked rapidly at Gunner.

“My job is going to take at least a year to complete,” said Zach. “So I’m in no hurry to leave the area if you’re happy to stay.”

I took hold of his hand and smiled. “But we need to start making plans ourselves.”

“About what?” asked Zach.

“Well, aren’t we moving in together?”

This time, Helen almost spat her tea across the table. “You’re really going to do it?”

I grinned at Zach. “Why not? We need a base big enough for all of us. We can find something central and settle there. Then we’ll be able to travel around wherever we like for work.”

Zach lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “I like your thinking. And there’ll be room enough for anyone who wants to visit. Human or otherwise.” He looked over at Flipper and Jessie who were snuggled together in the corner of the kitchen.

“Is there room for me?” asked Gunner. “I’ve been looking for a place for a while now. Just don’t like the thought of living alone.”

“There won’t be room for you,” said Helen. “I’ll be moving in with Lorna and Zach. And the dogs will be there, too. They need their own space. You’ll get in the way if you come as well.”

“I’m sure we can find enough space for everybody.” I looked at Zach. “If that’s okay with you?”

“Fine with me,” said Zach. “The more the merrier.”

I looked around the table and smiled, as Helen shot Gunner another glare for swiping the last crumpet. Living with this lot was going to take some getting used to, but I was up for the challenge.