The Haunting of Crawley House (The Hauntings Of Kingston Book 1)

by Dorey, Michelle

  But the whole visit had been crazy. Only finding out about her, my secret power and then her... I gulped hard. Her death. Still, I couldn’t accept it. “But she was here! So was Lawrence!”

  Dad’s fingers clasped Mom’s arm and he nudged her toward the table. “I’ll get the coffee honey. You take a seat.”

  Mom sat across from Gwen and I. Her eyes were sad when she spoke. “I was with your grandmother when she died. You didn’t even know I was gone. Lawrence called me.” She sniffed and took a deep breath. “It was a massive heart attack, Keira; we knew her time had come.” The tears began to roll down her own cheeks. “She’d told me of her wishes.”

  “And what were those?”

  “To train you, silly. She knew you were at sea—you had no plan for your life. She knew the time was drawing near when you had to learn of your heritage.” She gazed around the kitchen, her voice soft. “It’s hard to believe but she and Lawrence were able to continue... to materialize long enough for you to learn. She knew you were gifted the first time she held you in the hospital.” She covered her face with her hands, and sobbed. “She didn’t want to move on until you were ready. And now, my mama’s gone!”

  I leaned over the table and my hand covered hers. She may have been trying to be strong earlier, but the grief was like a stone she wore, pulling her down. And as hard as it was for me, it was waaay harder for her. She dropped her hands from her face.

  “There was a letter this morning. When I read it, I knew her time with you was over.” Her chin trembled as she looked over to Gwen. “It said Keira would be with her guardian.”

  The air drifted from my lungs and I sank lower on the table, my head falling. If only I had known. I would have... A sob rose in my throat and the tears once more flooded my eyes. Nana. It wasn’t long enough, the time with you. I never told you I loved you.

  “But what about Lawrence?” You said he called you to let you know in time for you to see her? What happened to him?” Gwen’s voice was soft at my side.

  “The night my mother died I got a phone call from the police. They’d found his body on a park bench near the hospital. There was a note listing me as next of kin. He just gave up living when she died.” Mom sniffed. “In many ways he was the father I never knew.”

  I sat back in my chair like a rag doll, seeing Nana and Lawrence curled up together on her bed the night before. If I’d only known. I would have shook them awake and begged them to stay... if only just a bit longer.

  Gwen got up and plucked the box of tissues from the counter. She extended the box to my mother and then to me. As I wiped my tears, she let out a loud honk, blowing her own nose. I smiled over at her, glad that she was there.

  I looked across at my mother, who had balled up the tissue in her fist, trying hard to hide the quiver in her chin as she stared out the window. “You knew about all this and still, you sent me here.”

  She turned to look at me. “It was her last wish, Keira. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I trusted her. I’ve always known she had a mystical gift. I knew if she wanted you here, there was a good reason. I knew you’d be safe with her.”

  It was pretty touch and go just yesterday, but I kept that to myself. I rested my chin on my hand. “I’m not the same girl who left New York City last week,” I said quietly.

  Mom reached out and brushed back my bangs. “No... you’re not, are you?”

  I nodded. That world was light years away now. “She used to love being in her sunroom. She had a pretty good sense of humor. Even when I called her GM, she liked it.”

  My mother’s gaze flashed to me and a smile lit her face. “You called her that? It’s a wonder Lawrence didn’t throttle you!”

  I snorted. “I didn’t care for Lawrence at first. That changed when I realized he was the way he was to be protective of her.” I looked around the kitchen—his domain. “If you can hear me Lawrence, thank you for everything.” I sniffed again. “You old coot.”

  Dad’s gaze rested on Gwen. “And how do you fit into this crazy scheme? I have a feeling you’re into it up to your elbows.”

  She chuckled. “I liked Keira right off the bat. And the fact she lived in the old haunted house, just sealed it.” She looked over at me. “We’re partners in crime now.”

  “Do you understand what being her guardian entails?” Mom asked.

  “No, not really,” she replied. When she saw the look on Mom’s face, she added in an even voice, “But I know I can handle it.”

  The doorbell rang and we all jumped in our chairs.

  Mom got to her feet. “That’ll be Mr. Thompson.”

  THIRTY TWO

  WE LEFT OUR HALF-EMPTY MUGS OF COFFEE ON THE TABLE, trailing after Mom like ducklings. When she opened the door, a portly man in a suit stared back at her.

  “Mr. Thompson, please come in,” she said, opening the door wider.

  “Mrs. Swanson.” He stepped inside. He was carrying a black briefcase the size of a small suitcase.

  “I’m so glad you could make it on such short notice.”

  He glanced around at the rest of us and cleared his throat. “Mrs. York was one of my oldest clients. Of course, I’d reschedule my calendar to make way for this. You have my sincere condolences.” His glance took in all of us, once more.

  “Will you join us in the dining room? You’ll be able to set out your papers there.” Mom smiled and extended her hand, signaling the way, before she stepped across the entrance.

  I cleared my mind as best I could. I leaned forward to shake his hand. “I’m Mrs. York’s granddaughter, Keira.” When I took his hand an impression of my grandmother was in his mind. He had genuinely liked Nana. He hoped I would be as competent as her; but doubted it because I was so young. He was worried I would squander her estate. This was a sharp man who worked eighteen-hour days if needed.

  “Pleased to meet you, Keira.” I followed him and then paused, seeing Gwen hanging back near the door.

  “Maybe I’ll go now. I mean, this is private... your grandmother’s financial affairs and all.”

  I reached for her hand. “Lawrence wanted you to stay beside me. I want you to stay. If we’re going to be in this together, I want to be transparent. There isn’t room for secrets, between us. Hell, you shared my last night with my grandmother. Who else would ever believe that?”

  She nodded and squeezed my hand.

  When we took our place at the table, Mr. Thompson had his large case open and was reaching inside. He brought out two marble urns, one a rose hued one and the other gray, and set them on the sideboard. “Mrs. York’s ashes are in the lighter one, while Mr. Brady’s are in the gray.”

  My lips fell apart and an ache so real, it felt like my heart was breaking all over again washed through me. Seeing the evidence was hard. I gazed at my mother and noticed her eyes welling again.

  Mr. Thompson reached in his case for a file and took a seat. He opened it and then looked over at my mother and me. “It was your mother and grandmother’s wishes that her ashes be spread in the rose garden at the front of the property.” He cleared his throat. “The will is very straightforward but I will summarize it before we start. Basically, your trust is to be continued Susan—enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life, I’m sure.”

  I looked over at my parents. So that explained a lot of things. I knew the diner they ran didn’t support them in the lifestyle they led. Nana had been providing for them all these years. The old Keira might have been miffed, considering all the lectures she’d been given about getting a career. But now it made sense. Nana’s work had placed her daughter in danger, so of course she’d look out for her financially.

  The lawyer’s voice captured my attention again. “The rest of Mrs. York’s estate is bequeathed to you, Keira. It is yours to do with as you will but Mrs. York’s wishes were that you would continue with the financial arrangements she put in place, given that the rate of return has been fortuitous and steady.”

  I knew about the hou
se but I was curious. “How much is that?”

  He took a deep breath and his voice was low. “After taxes, it’s eight hundred and forty three million, give or take a few thousand.” He tapped the paperwork. “All quite liquid—cash, a blue chip stock portfolio, government bonds, and gold bullion.”

  Oh my God! I just about fell off my chair and Gwen reached out to steady me. I’d known she was wealthy but this was crazy rich. Wow! That amount was intimidating. I couldn’t count that high!

  The rest of the will, all legalese went by in an officious drone. My head was still spinning as I signed papers of ownership but under that, my heart was hollow. Sure I was rich, but my grandmother was dead. It had all happened way too fast. There was so much I wanted to know, to learn from her as we lived together. I missed her already.

  When my mother and father rose from their chairs, I looked over at the lawyer.

  “As I was saying, this next part is for your ears only. Yours and...”His eyes narrowed looking at Gwen. “I’m sorry. You are?”

  She froze and gaped at him. “I’m Gwen. Gwen Jones.”

  He shook his head and his eyebrows arched high. “Mrs. York specified that this next item was to be given only to her granddaughter and ‘The Guardian?’” He looked over at me.

  “That’s her. When she’s not delivering mail, that is.” I bit my cheeks to keep the chuckle inside. The look on his face was priceless, totally confused. Nana would have loved it!

  Mr. Thompson plucked an envelope from the file and handed it to me. “I’m sorry. I am to see that you read it but the contents are for your eyes only.”

  My parents left the room, closing the door behind them.

  I took the envelope and glanced at Gwen as she shifted her chair closer to mine. What the heck was Nana up to now?

  THIRTY THREE

  DEAREST KEIRA,

  CHARLES THOMPSON HAS BEEN A TRUSTED INTERMEDIARY SINCE I MOVED TO KINGSTON. THE ASSIGNMENTS WHICH I HAVE UNDERTAKEN HAVE COME TO ME FROM HIS OFFICE. IT IS ONE WAY THAT I HAVE MANAGED TO INSULATE MYSELF FROM MEDIA AND MORE IMPORTANTLY MY ADVERSARY. HE’LL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU IN GREATER DETAIL HIS PART IN ALL OF THIS, BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND HE DOES NOT KNOW THE FULL DETAILS OTHER THAN I AM FASCINATED WITH THINGS PARANORMAL.

  FOR THIS REASON, I MUST STIPULATE THAT YOU CONTINUE THIS ARRANGEMENT AND ALSO THAT YOU MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH HIM, CHECKING IN ONCE A WEEK. OFTEN, ASSIGNMENTS ARE RELATED OR EVEN OCCUR IN THE SAME PROXIMITY GEOGRAPHICALLY. IT’S BEEN AN EFFICIENT AS WELL AS A FURTHER CONTROL IN MONITORING MY WELL-BEING.

  I WOULD ADVISE THAT YOU START OUT WITH SIMPLE, SINGULAR HAUNTINGS AS OPPOSED TO JUMPING INTO THE FRAY OF MULTIPLE ENTITIES WHICH ARE OFTEN PRESENT IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS SUCH AS PRISONS OR HOSPITALS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT ASSIGNMENTS SEEM TO OCCUR IN CLUSTERS. YOU MAY GO FOR WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS WITH NO OCCURRENCES AND THEN BE BOMBARDED WITH A FEW RIGHT IN A ROW. BE PREPARED FOR THESE OCCURRENCES TO HAPPEN ON, OR ABOUT THE EQUINOX PERIODS. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE, THE VEIL BECOMES DIMINISHED. I DON’T KNOW WHY.

  REMEMBER OUR LESSONS IN MANAGING FEAR. TRUST IN YOURSELF AND YOUR GUARDIAN. THERE ARE PATTERNS IN THE UNIVERSE THAT YOU WILL BECOME MORE FINELY ATTUNED TO AS YOU DELVE DEEPER INTO TRANSITIONING SOULS. YOU ALREADY KNOW, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS COINCIDENCE. IT IS UP TO YOU TO DISCOVER WITH YOUR GIFTS AND INTUITION THE WHY OF EVENTS.

  YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, ALWAYS.

  WITH ETERNAL LOVE,

  NANA

  I looked over at Gwen. “What do you think?”

  Her head dipped to the side. “I don’t know. It’s still pretty vague to me. I kind of wish she had spelled out how long these assignments take. I mean, we may be all over the world.”

  She was worried about her dad. Even though she could ensure his well-being with her aunt living with him, she’d still be away for periods of time, when now she spent every day with him. I looked over at Mr. Thompson who was watching us closely. “Do you know, when you gave these... assignments to my grandmother, how long she would be away?”

  His eyebrows rose and he sat back. “I take it, we are to continue with the arrangement that your grandmother and I had?”

  This was it. I was formally agreeing to take on her role. Now if I could just figure out how it could work out for Gwen. “Yes. But I need more information.”

  “It varied. She could be gone as little as a few days but at other times, she was gone for a month. She always checked in with me regularly though, whether it was Europe, Asia or Iceland... anywhere in the world.”

  Well that was not helpful.

  “Do I have to do anything to get her estate transferred to me... bank accounts, her investment portfolio and such?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Most of it was done here today. That’s what you pay me for. I will have any final paperwork prepared for your signature in a few days. Until then... well, I’m sure you need some time to adjust to all this.” He put the folder back into his case and stood up. When he reached to shake my hand, his eyes were solemn behind the round spectacles. “I’ll miss your grandmother. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”

  When I went to stand, he shuss’ed me back to my seat. “I can see myself out. I’m sure you and... Gwen, have a lot to talk about.”

  When the door closed behind him, I turned to Gwen. My heart was in my mouth. If she didn’t agree to do this with me, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to on my own. “Will you do it? I’ll pay you lots of money so you—”

  “It’s not the money! You know that. It’s my dad... and even my mother—in a weird way. I don’t think I can be away from him for long periods. A few days, sure—but a month at a time?” Her hand covered mine. “Look I want to but I don’t see how it’s possible. You know I took this job delivering mail to have more time with him, rather than working long hours in a lab doing research.”

  “But this is important Gwen. Your dad’s important too, don’t get me wrong, but wouldn’t he want you to be happy, doing something like this? Can’t you even give it a try before you out-and-out say no? If my grandmother thought this was a big deal—transitioning in order to protect the order of things—then I don’t know how you can turn your back.”

  “I’m skeptical about all that, Keira.”

  “What?!” Before I could say another word about The Veil, she held up her hand.

  “Look, I can accept helping spirits move on, okay? But I really don’t want to be responsible for protecting the universe.” She dropped her hand. “I can’t get my head around something like that.” She sighed. “Look, I’ll think about it, okay? That’s as much as I can agree to at this stage.”

  I sat there dumbfounded. “But... but...”

  “That’s all I can say, Keira.” She sighed. “I’d better get going. You’ll be okay with your parents. It’ll give you guys a chance to talk.”

  She got to her feet and I walked with her to the door of the dining room. She turned and gave me a big hug, running her hand softly over my back. “I’m really sorry, Keira, about your grandmother. I wish I could be more definite, but I need time to digest all this. I’m not the type to jump in feet first.”

  I pulled back and nodded. “Are you going to talk to your dad about all this?” Since it would affect him, he needed to know.

  She looked at the ceiling and then shook her head. “There’s a good question! I can’t tell him everything, now can I? He’d think I lost my mind... having dinner here and the hosts were actually ghosts!” She squeezed my arms. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”