Cozy Mystery Ghost Story Collection: The Complete Shannon Porter Mystery Series

by Haley Harper

  “You are so right, my dear, you have seen her. But she is not a maid here. The woman you’ve seen is the ghost of Lady Caldwell, just like I said before. Folks see her all the time, and now you have as well.” Shannon sighed. Obviously she wasn’t going to get anywhere with Mrs. Pritchard. A round of applause for the orchestra grabbed their attention and the guests were returning to the table. Shannon stood and thanked Mrs. Pritchard for her help and headed for her own chair, feeling quite frustrated. Just as she turned away, she saw the dark haired maid standing in the doorway to the ballroom. Shannon froze in her place, a chill running down her spine as they made eye contact . Regaining her thoughts, Shannon raced back to Mrs. Pritchard’s table and grabbed the old lady’s hand.

  “Come with me she!” shouted. “The other maid is out in the hall. I just saw her.” Reluctantly, Mrs. Pritchard followed Shannon through the door. There was no one in sight. No woman, no ghost, not even another guest to verify what she had seen. Mrs. Pritchard was looking at Shannon with something like pity. Shaking her head, she patted Shannon’s arm.

  “It’s okay, miss. It’s likely just the upset of the accident is all. You’ll be fine.” With that she left Shannon in the hall, alone and bewildered. Shannon sighed as she headed back into the ballroom. Maybe everyone was right. Maybe it was just a horrible accident. Maybe for some unexplainable reason Melissa returned to the turret that night. Maybe with her new found sense of freedom, she had decided to overcome her fear and do something she had never done before. Maybe she had simply fallen. Maybe, but highly unlikely.

  Shannon was deep in thought when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Zorro was standing there with a charming smile on his handsome face. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?” he said bowing slightly. None of the previous creepiness was showing now. He was all manners and charm. As much as Shannon didn’t really want to accept, she could offer no genuine reason to refuse. She rose reluctantly and forced a smile.

  “Thank you, kind sir,” she said, trying to play along, cringing ever so slightly as his arm came around her. They danced for a while without speaking and she was glad for the silence. When the music took a quieter turn, he leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

  “So, Mrs. Pritchard tells me that you think Melisa Davenport’s death was a murder?” Shannon tensed at his tone.

  “I do,” she replied.

  “And what makes you think that exactly?” He was still whispering directly into her ear. Shannon wasn’t sure if she was imagining things or not, but to her his voice sounded almost sinister.

  “Melissa and I were getting to know each other and she confided some things in me.” Larry s arm tightened around her waist ever so slightly.

  “What kind of things did she confide in you?”

  Shannon pulled back and looked into his eyes. She didn’t like what she saw there. “Well, I really don’t think that’s any of your business, and why would you ask anyway? Had you even met her?” Larry immediately apologized.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to upset you. I was just curious is all. Reading mysteries is my passion. I guess I was getting caught up in the whole ghost/murder/suicide thing.” The music ended and Shannon stepped away from him.

  “Well I can tell you for certain it wasn’t a ghost, and I’m almost positive it wasn’t suicide. But murder, now there’s the mystery I’m going to solve. And now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll sit this next one out.” Shannon could feel his eyes piercing into her back as she walked away.

  Chapter 12

  Although she had hoped the ball would be an enjoyable diversion, Shannon felt anything but relaxed. Her conversations with Mrs. Pritchard and Larry Jordon were more frustrating than helpful. She was still convinced there was a woman roaming the grounds that no one knew about, and the reclusive professor Jordon seemed far too interested in why she was pursuing a murder investigation. She really hoped that her visit from Maureen tomorrow would be a little more enlightening.

  As had been typical since Melissa death, she fell into a fitful and disturbing sleep. When she was startled suddenly by footsteps outside her door she wasn’t sure if she had actually heard them or if she had dreamt it. She crept quietly out of bed and put her ear to the door. She felt someone there more than she heard them. She waited for a moment and then in one swift movement turned the bolt and flung the door open. For some reason she had prepared herself to see the dark haired maid standing there. Instead, she found herself looking right into the evil eyes of Larry Jordon. She covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a scream.

  “What you think you’re doing,” she demanded. Larry tried to feign surprise.

  “If you must know, I couldn’t sleep and was on my way down to the library. I was simply passing by when you threw your door open. I stopped when you startled me.” Shannon wasn’t buying any of it.

  “Uh, I don’t think so. It looked more like you were standing and listening at my door.” Larry shrugged.

  “Now why on earth would I be doing that?”

  “I’m sure I don’t know, but you aren’t fooling me one bit. Whatever it is that you think you’re doing, think again. I’m not afraid of you and I won’t be bullied by you. I think you had something to do with Melisa’s death and I intend to find out what. So watch your step. And if you know what’s good for you, stay out of my way.” Shannon stepped back into her room and bolted the door. Then she breathed deep and let it out very slowly.

  “What was I thinking? Now he knows I suspect him. If he does have something to do with this, he’ll cover it somehow. Why didn’t I just keep my big mouth shut?” Shannon climbed back under the covers though she was certain that sleep would be impossible.

  She was still tossing and turning when the sun poked fingers of light through her curtains. Stretching, Shannon tried to feel positive about the day ahead. She was feeling a bit foolish over her incident with Mrs. Pritchard and remorseful over her outburst with Larry Jordon. Some murder investigator she was. Oh well, maybe chatting with Maureen today would help. If Maureen had no light to shed on things, Shannon made up her mind that she would call it quits, she would leave the whole thing to the professionals and get back to her work. That was what she was here for!

  The alarm read seven o’clock. She had arranged to meet Maureen in the pub at 8. It was open for those who wanted a less formal and less filling breakfast in the morning than was served in the dining room. Coffee, tea and scones were the only items available, and after her crazy night, all Shannon wanted was coffee. She was surprised how good the coffee was here, considering the country’s preference for tea. But having so many American visitors, they had made an effort to serve the best. The caffeine was just starting to revive her tired head when Maureen walked into the pub.

  “Good morning,” she bellowed. Shannon flinched slightly. She had never heard such a deep voice in a woman before.

  “Good morning,” Shannon replied trying to sound far more cheerful than she felt.

  “I see you still prefer that wretched black oil to our fine national beverage.” Maureen scowled as she looked at Shannon’s cup. “I’ve never been able to develop a taste for the stuff.” Maureen filled a cup of tea at the self serve station and returned to the table. “So, what are the plans for the day?”

  Shannon sighed. “To be honest, I really don’t know. In fact, I’m not sure why I even invited you this morning. Until last night I was certain that Melissa was murdered and I hoped that with your….special gifts, we might find some kind of proof. But now I’m not so sure. I’m almost convinced that I am seeing ghosts and accusing innocent men of murder.” Maureen studied Shannon’s tired face.

  “I don’t see you as someone who gives up that easy. Not when every instinct tells you to do otherwise.”

  “You’re right. I don’t usually. But I think I’m way out of my comfort zone here. I really didn’t know Melissa that well, and I certainly don’t know Larry Jordon at all. Why on earth would I accuse a perfect stranger of murder?
And as for my only other suspect, apparently she appears only to me, and is in fact a ghost!” Maureen laughed loudly, drawing the attention of a few other guests who were enjoying a light breakfast. Shannon bowed her head when they looked over. Maureen lowered her voice to the best version of a whisper she could muster.

  “Ok then. I suggest we start with a visit to the scene of the crime….or should I say accident. And I’ll see if anything hits me. Then we’ll take things from there.”

  “Sounds good,” Shannon agreed. “You’re my final hope. If you don’t get a sense of wrongdoing, I’m throwing in the towel and getting back to work.” Maureen nodded.

  “Well then, let’s get started!”

  Chapter 13

  Shannon gave Maureen a puzzled look. “Don’t you need some kind of tools or electronic devices or something?” Maureen laughed.

  Tapping her temple she said, “Nope it’s all up here. It would be helpful though if I had something that belonged to Melissa. Do you have anything?” Shannon thought for a moment.

  “No. We hadn’t even spent that much time together and I’m pretty sure her room has been emptied and her things sent home. I know Mrs. Chadwick took care of that right away.” Maureen shrugged.

  “Ok. It doesn’t mean I can’t read the situation, it just helps sometimes.”

  “Wait,” Shannon said grabbing Maureen’s arm “I do have something. Melissa gave me a book to read while I was here. I hadn’t given it back to her yet. Would that help?”

  “It’s better than nothing.”

  “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” She hurried to her room and retrieved the book. “Now we can get started,” she said, handing it to Maureen. During the walk to the turret Maureen stopped on several occasions and stood with her eyes closed, saying nothing. Shannon was almost bursting with anticipation. She had to bite her tongue to resist asking Maureen every five seconds if she was feeling anything. When they reached the turret, Maureen stepped inside the musty space. Finally she spoke.

  “I get a strong sense that Melissa was here and that she was afraid, but that could have just been from when she was here with you.” Shannon nodded.

  “She was very scared just watching me climb the turret. So that doesn’t tell us anything.”

  “No, Maureen agreed, but I’m also getting that a man has been here recently, someone who knew Melissa.”

  Shannon frowned.” I did meet up with Larry Jordon out here. I told you about him, the creepy, suspicious guy. But I don’t think he knew Melissa.” Maureen shook her head.

  “No, I’m definitely getting the feeling that this man knew her quite well. I’m getting a picture of Melissa with a man. She is scared and crying. I can’t see the man’s face. He seems to be wearing a disguise of some sort…a mask perhaps.” Shannon thought back to the costume ball.

  “A black mask?” she shouted excitedly. “Larry Jordon was dressed as Zorro at the costume ball last night. Maybe he did know her! And maybe he was wearing that mask the night he murdered her.”

  “Whoa, girl,” Maureen cautioned. “Let’s not jump to any hasty conclusions. What I’m giving you here are just my impressions. Before you can accuse somebody of murder you’re going to need something a lot more concrete, some good solid evidence.”

  “But it does give us something to go on,” right? It does give us reason to look into him a little more. Maybe get Jake to question him again?”

  “Possibly.” “But I would also like to meet him face to face and see what I get. Do you think you could arrange that?” Shannon pursed her lips.

  “I don’t know. I was pretty rude to him the other night. I told him I thought he was responsible for Melissa’s death and that he better stay out of my way. I didn’t mean to tip my hand, but he really got under m y skin. I found him skulking around outside my bedroom door.”

  Maureen laughed. “Well no doubt if he did have anything to do with this, your accusations are going to put him on the defensive to say the least. Maybe you could invite him down to the pub under the pretense of apologizing. Then I’d get a chance to assess his creepiness myself.”

  “It’s worth a try,” Shannon agreed.” Let’s get back to the mansion and see.”

  It was their good fortune to find the creepy professor already sitting on the patio when they returned to the mansion. Shannon pulled Maureen behind a large shrub out of sight of the patio and whispered in her ear. “See what I mean?”

  “What? The guy’s just sitting there having a cup of coffee.”

  “That’s my point! He’s sitting right there in public! When he first came here he was all about keeping to himself. He didn’t even join us on the first night for the meet and greet. Mrs. Chadwick said he wanted complete seclusion while he was here. Nobody even had a glimpse of him until Jake called us all down for questioning the morning after the murder. Now all of a sudden he comes to the costume ball, walks around the grounds, goes to the library to read in the middle of the night, and sits on the patio having coffee. Why so sociable all of a sudden? Maureen nodded.

  “You do have a point. So what happened to change his behavior?”

  “Don’t you see? He had to lay low until he got rid of Melissa. Obviously if she had discovered he was here, his plot to murder her wouldn’t work. Now that she’s out of the picture and the police have ruled her death an accident he’s free to do as he pleases.”

  “Wow! You certainly have a writer’s gift for creating a plot! But if you’re right, now he knows you suspect him,” Maureen said in her best form of a whisper.

  “Exactly. That’s why we have to find some concrete information to give Jake so he’ll reopen the investigation.” Maureen nodded.

  “Ok. Let’s go join him and see what happens. But be friendly. Remember you’re supposed to be apologizing. We want him to think you’ve given up on your amateur sleuthing.”

  “Ok. But it won’t be easy. What I really want to do is wipe that smug phony smile right off his face.” Maureen laughed. No longer trying to be quiet, the sound immediately drew Larry’s attention. He rose from his chair as they approached. As if he’s any kind of gentleman, Shannon thought, as she forced a friendly smile.

  “Ladies,” he said with a nod.

  “Good morning, Larry,” Shannon said pleasantly. “Please let me introduce a friend of mine, Maureen O’Mally. Maureen held out her hand and Larry shook it amiably.

  “Pleasure to meet you. Would you ladies like to join me for a cup of coffee?”

  “We’d love to,” Shannon said. “But I’m sure Maureen would prefer tea.”

  “You’re right there,” she said with a chuckle. “I don’t know how you people drink that stuff.” Larry and Shannon both laughed. While they waited for their drinks, Shannon opened the conversation quickly before she lost her nerve.

  “Larry, I’m really glad we ran into you this morning. I’m afraid I was a little rude last night and I wanted to apologize. This whole incident with Melissa has me really on edge, what with everyone saying it was a ghost and all. I’m afraid you just happened to be there when I reached my limit and unfortunately I unloaded on you. I really am sorry and I hope you can forgive me.”

  Larry ‘s face formed into the same smug smile that she had mentioned earlier and Shannon had to force herself not to make eye contact with Maureen. “See what I mean?” she wanted to shout. But instead she kept her eyes on Larry as he declared there was no need for apology.

  “So I take it you’ve given up then on your murder theory?”

  Shannon tried her best to look sheepish.” I have. Maybe it was a ghost, maybe it was just an accident. I’ll leave the police work to the professionals. All I want to do now is get m y book finished and try to enjoy the rest of my stay.”

  “Good plan,” creepy Larry replied. Maureen was watching him intently while he spoke to Shannon. When he turned his gaze towards her, she seemed to be almost in a trance.

  “Miss O’Mally?” Maureen realized that he had asked her something.

 
“Oh, sorry.” she stammered. “I was caught up in a daydream.”

  “I asked what you do for a living?”

  “Oh,” Maureen said, back to herself now. “I am a writer, editor and ….she was about to say psychic but decided to keep that information to herself. And local historian,” she finished instead.

  “How interesting. I imagine the history of this area is quite fascinating.” Maureen nodded in agreement. They chatted a while longer and then Larry rose to excuse himself.

  “Hate to rush off ladies,” he said politely, “but I have an appointment in town with a colleague from the university here. Have a lovely day.” The two women smiled at him and wished him the same. As soon as he was out of earshot, Shannon moved into his chair next to Maureen.

  “Well what do you think? Did you get any kind of read on him?”

  “Oh, ya, did I ever. That guy is definitely hiding something. Everything he said was a lie. He is a nasty one for sure. I kept getting little flashes of him being very angry. He was shouting at someone but I couldn’t see who. I also kept getting something about broken down cars and gas stations. I don’t know, that part was weird. They were weird images to get from a guy who’s supposed to be a college professor.”

  “Just one more mysterious thing about him. Let’s see now. First he slips up about where he lives. Then he says he isn’t married but he’s wearing a ring. Then he finds out I think Melissa was murdered and I find him sneaking around outside my door. Then you get a vision of a man in a black mask with her after he comes to the costume ball dressed like Zorro. And now you get a read about cars and gas stations when he’s supposed to be a professor. All sounds pretty weird to me.”