Felicia's Spirits

by Marie Higgins

  “Lady Adler, are you all right?”

  Sebastian’s warm and caring voice brought her out of her misery. She spun around and met his concerned gaze. She smiled.

  “I am now.”

  His gaze moved around them. “Is someone bothering you?”

  She wanted to laugh out loud and blame it on Louisa. “Not any longer.”

  He frowned. “But someone had been upsetting you?”

  “Yes, but it’s over now.”

  He straightened his shoulders, which puffed out his chest. “Tell me, and I’ll go give him a lesson in manners.”

  She chuckled and rested her hand on his arm. “Oh, Bash. I’m fine, really. The dance is over and the person is gone.”

  His tight expression relaxed as he held out his hand. “Then will you like to dance with me?”

  “Gladly.” She slipped her palm against his and he led them out onto the dance floor. When the music started playing, she was happy to know she’d be dancing the waltz with him. The minute his arm was around her waist, the weight of the world suddenly evaporated from off her shoulders.

  As he watched her face, a grin slowly tugged on the corners of his mouth. Her heart flipped. She loved seeing him like this.

  “What are you grinning about?” he enquired.

  “Being with you makes me feel like all my troubles are gone.”

  He laughed. “Indeed? I’m that magical?”

  “I think it’s because you’ve always made me feel comfortable while in your presence.”

  “Comfortable? Now I must say, that is something I’ve not heard from a woman.”

  “Then you consider me... special?”

  He nodded. “That must be it.” His fingers stroked against her back. “I hope you forgive me, but I’ve been watching you dance with the other men.”

  She held her breath. Had he noticed her reaction when Mortimer’s agent had talked with her? “You have?”

  “Yes. I could tell you were bored.”

  She expelled the breath of relief from her mouth slowly. “Indeed, I was very bored. But what about you? Have you been talking to people about... you know what?”

  “Yes, and you’re not going to believe this.” His voice lowered. “The four ladies I’d spoken with told me their bedrooms were robbed approximately at nine-thirty last Tuesday.”

  Confusion filled her head, and she shook is slowly. “All of them had a robbery at nine-thirty?”

  “Exactly. Now I ask, what kind of thief can do four houses in one night, all at the same time?”

  “I would think none could accomplish such a task by himself.”

  “You’re absolutely right.”

  “What does that mean?” she wondered.

  “That means there is more than one thief doing the exact same robbery.”

  Realization hit her, and she gasped. “They all work for one person.”

  Bash nodded.

  “Mortimer.”

  Bash’s grin widened. “I love the way you think.”

  “You suspect it, too?”

  “Of course.” He tightened his arm around her waist, bringing her closer. “I’d been looking for a jewel thief around Devonshire, and now that I’m in Capri, there is one almost identical here, as well? And now that we suspect Mortimer is here...”

  “It’s him. I can feel it,” she said softly.

  “As can I.”

  She sighed, knowing they would find her mother soon. “Where do we go from here?”

  A frown took over his expression. “I’m afraid this is up to you.”

  “Why?”

  “Although I don’t want you to, I think you need to follow that one girl you saw at the marketplace. Hopefully, she’ll lead you to Mortimer.”

  She nodded. “I agree.”

  “But please be careful.”

  She chuckled lightly. “I’ve learned how to be careful, especially since I’ve worked for Mortimer for so long.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll talk with someone at their police headquarters and see what suspects they have. What if we meet up again tomorrow and share our information?”

  “Yes. Splendid idea.”

  “I’ll come to your house around one o’clock in the afternoon.”

  She nodded. “That’s perfect.”

  The dance ended, and they walked away from each other. Her heart had jumped to her throat, and deep inside, she knew she should tell Bash about her meeting with Mortimer. If Bash ever discovered this, he’d certainly never trust her again. But she’d bide her time and wait until after her meeting with Mortimer, and then she’d tell Sebastian.

  Now she couldn’t wait until that moment came.

  ADORNED IN THE TYPE of attire worn by older Italian women, Felicia braided her hair and wound it in a coil, placing the white kerchief-cap over it. Her dress was a dull brown, and she wrapped a white crocheted shawl over her shoulders. On her feet, she wore the old boots of one of her servants.

  When she left her home, she went out the servants’ back way. She prayed that Sebastian wasn’t going to watch her – or follow. Hopefully, he trusted her enough to allow her to do this on her own.

  The walk to Chiostro Grande took almost all of her strength. The place was on top of the island, and the climb was quite steep. Her legs weren’t used to it, yet. Once she arrived, she entered the quadrangle of buildings. Originally, this had been built as a convent, but over the centuries, it had turned into a place where everyone came to admire the artwork and enjoy the solitude. The chapel itself was grand, with paintings on the ceiling and alcoves along the back wall. Although she’d known about this place, she’d only come once with Lord Adler. It surprised her that the old man had had the strength to climb the hill.

  Mortimer had picked the perfect time in the morning. Not many people were up and about this early, unless they were in the marketplace buying or selling. Clouds hid the sun, and a light wind blew in from off the sea, chilling her slightly.

  All of her senses were alert as she entered the church. From out in the courtyard, the clock tower chimed the ninth hour. Once the last bell rang through the morning, everything around her became still. Even her breathing had slowed.

  Cautiously, she stepped toward the front of the church and sat on the first pew. For years she’d loved paintings and being here and looking upon some of the fine art drawn upon the walls, was breathtaking. But she didn’t have time to admire everything. She listened closely for anything to make her aware that she wasn’t alone. So far, she couldn’t detect anything.

  From the right side of the chapel, a door squeaked open and out walked a clergyman. Or were they called monks? He wore a thick brown robe with a hood. Shadows played across his face, and she couldn’t tell if this was Mortimer or not. But with the sound of his distinct walk, limping with his left leg, she knew it was the man she wanted out of her life.

  He walked to her and sat beside her. The rhythm of her heart accelerated. Fear crawled through her, but she tried to keep it from taking control. You can do this, she silently reminded herself. There is no reason to fear him any longer.

  “I’m happy to see you again, Miss Felicia.”

  His grainy voice made her shiver with disgust. “What do you want?”

  “I want something you have, and in exchange, I’ll give you something that I have.”

  Sometimes his word games were almost as confusing as her spirit friends when they talked to her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  His face moved closer and she could see him better. He hadn’t aged that much, but then, it’d only been a couple of years since she last saw him.

  “I know you have the topaz diamond ring from India. I want it.”

  She gasped and shook her head. “Are you jesting? Why would you think I have it?”

  He grinned, showing her his crooked teeth, and the top chipped tooth. “Because I know you quite well, or have you forgotten? The last case you’d worked on was trying to find this very ring. And, if I recall, it led you to meet Lord
Adler. Not long after that, you married him.” One of his bushy eyebrows lifted higher than the other. “Tell me, am I wrong to assume you are now the owner of the most expensive diamond in the world?”

  Sighing, she shook her head. “Mortimer, you have a very strange imagination. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t have the diamond, and neither did Lord Adler. Do you think I wouldn’t have tried to sell the ring to the highest bidder, especially when my husband’s debt collectors came to gather their payments? Believe me, the ring would have been the first thing I sold. I was desperate for money. In fact, I’m still worried that I don’t have enough to live off.”

  In silence, he watched her through narrowed eyes. She knew why. He was trying to see if she told the truth or not. After all, he was the one who’d taught her the importance of lying.

  After a few moments, he shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “That is too bad, because I don’t have the ring.”

  “And that, my dear Lady Adler, is most unfortunate for you, as well. Because if you don’t get me that ring soon, your mother might not live much longer.”

  Her throat and lungs tightened, making it harder to breathe. “You... have my mother?”

  “Indeed, I do.” He leaned back in the pew, folding his arms across his chest. “When I visited your mother the other day, I asked her about the ring. She didn’t think you had it, only because you hadn’t mentioned it to her. But the more we talked, the more your mother was convinced that you did have it, and just didn’t tell her.”

  Anger rose inside of Felicia. No! Why would her mother say that... Then again, knowing Mortimer, he was probably lying about that.

  “I don’t have it. And at this moment, I hope I never see the blasted piece of jewelry ever.”

  He shrugged. “Well, if you want your mother to live, then I suggest you find it posthaste.”

  Helplessness shot through her, and tears stung her eyes. “How can I give you something I don’t have?”

  “I suggest you find it. After all, you were looking for it during your last case. I’m sure you have more information that points to where the ring is located.”

  “But I don’t,” she cried out. “Don’t you think I’d give it to you in exchange for my mother’s life? But I can’t give you something I don’t have.”

  “Then I suggest you start looking.”

  She wanted to scream at him, to beg him, but she knew Mortimer well enough that those methods wouldn’t work. Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it.

  He stood up but didn’t move. His head turned back toward her. “One more thing.”

  Inwardly, she groaned. She didn’t want to hear it.

  “I don’t like that Mr. Harrington is back in your life. That man is too clever for his own good.”

  Slowly, she shook her head. “It surprised me when he showed up at my house. I had no idea he was here in Italy.”

  “Get rid of him.”

  She gasped. “And how, pray, do you expect me to do that?”

  He tapped a finger on his pointy chin. “Similar to the way you got rid of him before.”

  Her heart sank. No! She couldn’t... She wouldn’t...

  “But this time, I want you to plant your jewels where he is staying. The police are on the lookout for a jewel thief, and when you tell them that you were robbed and hint that Mr. Harrington was in your house, the police will arrest him immediately. After all, he’s a foreigner, and they don’t take kindly to men like Harrington coming into their country and making them appear incompetent.”

  Tears filled her eyes quickly as she shook her head, mouthing the word no. She couldn’t do that to him again. There had to be another way. “I don’t think I can.”

  “You can and you will... or I’ll kill your mother. Do you understand that?”

  Her tears poured down her face. She doubled over, wanting to regurgitate as she wrapped her arms around her middle. He was actually making her choose between Sebastian and her mother? She couldn’t... but she had no other choice.

  Her heart broke as agony filled her chest. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to cry. She wanted to die.

  “What do you say, Lady Adler?”

  “I’ll... do it.” She lifted her head and glared at him. “But may the devil take you for what you’re doing to me and Mr. Harrington. I hope you die a slow and painful death.”

  Laughing, Mortimer left the chapel, but his voice still bounced against the walls. If she had a knife, she’d end the man’s life right now. If not now, definitely later.

  ELEVEN

  Whistling, Sebastian strolled up the street toward the police station, eager to work with someone who knew about the jewelry thefts in the area. One person – most definitely Mortimer – had hired people to break into houses in search of the topaz diamond ring from India. When Sebastian had first taken this case, he learned that the prince of India had given it to the queen of England a few years ago as a gift. The queen then put it on display in one of her museums in London. Not long after that, the museum had a break-in, and the ring was amongst some of the items that were stolen. When one of the heirs of the India prince discovered what had happened, they offered a reward for the ring’s return. The Metropolitan Police became involved mainly because it was the queen’s property. But there were other organizations out there who wanted the hefty reward, as well.

  Sebastian had clues to where the ring might have gone, but nothing was conclusive. But when he’d heard of a string of robberies in one area, only to have them tie back to Lady Adler, excitement had built inside of him, knowing he was closer than others had come to finding the ring.

  But... he’d changed his mind.

  Now that he knew Lady Adler’s real identity, he didn’t think she had any motivation to take the ring, unless to sell it or to turn it over to the prince’s heir who would pay handsomely for its return. And yet, deep down inside, Sebastian still didn’t think she had the ring. She wasn’t that type of person. She wasn’t greedy.

  The person who had this ring would indeed crave money and power. He suspected Mortimer, but that man didn’t have it, which was why he’d hired people to search for the ring.

  Sebastian shook his head. All of this was an utter mess, and very confusing. And yet, deep down he wondered if Felicia really did know more than she was saying. Why else would his investigation lead to her?

  He shook his head. He was overthinking, once again.

  Sebastian walked into the police station and stopped, scanning his gaze over everything and trying to memorize every little detail. The inside of the building resembled the station in London, which held more officers. The officers here in Italy appeared very polished in their uniforms, and Sebastian didn’t detect anyone being slothful on the job... not like he’d noticed in England.

  An officer walked up to Sebastian and stopped. The man spoke something in Italian. Sebastian hadn’t learned much of this language, but he suspected the man had asked what Sebastian needed.

  “Do you speak English?”

  The man scowled and shook his head, and then pointed to a man sitting behind a large desk in the corner of the room.

  Sebastian nodded. “Grazie.”

  He quickened his step toward the other man who appeared to be in his late forties. His thinning black hair made the top of his head very shiny. The man looked up when Sebastian approached.

  “Do you speak English?”

  “I do.” The man nodded and pointed to the chair. “Would you like to sit?”

  “Of course.” Sebastian sat in the chair across the desk.

  “How may I assist you?” the officer asked.

  “My name is Sebastian Harrington, and I work for the Metropolitan Police in England.” The man’s eyes widened slightly as he assessed Sebastian closely. “I was working on a case and my leads brought me here to Italy, but I need your help to find a man who goes by the name of Leonard Mortimer.”

  The officer leaned back in his chair and folded
his beefy arms across a wide middle, narrowing his gaze. “Is that all you have is a name?”

  Sebastian shook his head and continued, telling the officer every little detail that Felicia had shared. It only took the officer a few seconds before he started writing notes. Sebastian finished and cleared his throat. “But that is not all. I know about the string of jewel thefts you’ve had recently, and I believe Mortimer is involved somehow. I have a friend who used to work for Mortimer, and she is convinced the man has moved his spies here to Italy.”

  “Spies?” The officer tilted his head. “Tell me why Mortimer would hire spies and bring them to this country.”

  “He’s after the topaz diamond ring.”

  The officer hitched a breath. “How do you know about the ring?”

  Sebastian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did the man not listen to Sebastian at all? “As I’d mentioned before, I’m an investigator with the Metropolitan Police. Incidentally,” Sebastian added, “I’d been working on this particular case, which led me here to Italy.”

  “Tell me more about this man.” The officer steepled his fingers under his saggy chin.

  “All I know is that he works for the Prime Minister of England. Several years ago, the Prime Minister paid Mortimer to find spies who would help protect the Prince Regent. My friend was one of these spies. She knows Mortimer’s ways of doing things, which is why we’re convinced he’s here.”

  The officer nodded. “The Prime Minister, you say? I happen to know someone here in Italy who had worked closely with the Prime Minister. I shall check this out immediately.”

  “I appreciate your timeliness, because it’s of the essence. I believe Mortimer has kidnapped my friend’s mother, as well.”

  “Then I shall make it top priority.”

  Sebastian stood and bowed. “I appreciate your help in the matter.”

  As he exited the building, Sebastian felt a little more confident that Mortimer would be caught, and that Felicia’s mother would be saved. Hope filled his heart and put a bounce in his step as he made his way toward Felicia’s home. She should be home about now. Hopefully, her morning had been as productive as his. He trusted that she’d find the pickpocket girl and follow her without being spotted. Their only chance of entrapping Mortimer would be to catch him off guard. And if anyone could pull that off, it would be his dear Felicia.