by Haley Harper
With that thought, Shannon suddenly realized she was the only remaining guest there. The young newlywed couple and a business acquaintance of Aiden’s had left the castle earlier in the day after the announcement of Maeve’s death saying that besides wishing to leave the family to mourn in private, they had also had enough of the weird sounds and activities that had disrupted their stay.
No doubt the detectives would be tracking them all down for questioning. She would be questioned as well and that thought troubled her mind for a bit. She would have to tell the police all she knew and all that had happened.
She would have to admit being in Maeve’s room if she was to tell them about the dust on her slippers, but the more she thought about it, the more she believed there was some connection between Maeve’s murder and the locked room in the cellar.
Maybe she would keep that little piece of information close to her chest for as long as she could. And maybe, if she was lucky, a little amateur sleuthing would turn up a few more facts to go with it.
With all of these thoughts worrying away at her brain, she finally fell into a fitful sleep. The last thought going through her head as she finally drifted off was, “Here I go again!”
Chapter Ten
With a cup of coffee getting cold in front of her, Shannon watched in earnest as the detectives quietly questioned Winston and Elena at another table across the room. Aiden had been there too, having his breakfast but another officer had had to escort him from the room after he kept interrupting their questioning with loud accusations that Winston was their murderer.
They had assured Aiden that he would have his chance to speak and once they were finished talking to Winston, they were directed to the Great Room where he was waiting. Winston and Elena stopped by Shannon’s table on their way out.
“I expect you’ll have to undergo the same questioning,” Winston said sympathetically. “I think they are done with me. I went directly to a call when I left here last evening, so my alibi is tight. I shouldn’t think I’ll need to endure that again.”
“I certainly hope not,” Elena said. “It’s that maniac Aiden that has them all stirred up about you.” Shannon was a bit surprised by the vehemence in her voice. For someone so new to the family she had certainly formed some definite opinions.
“I don’t mind speaking with them,” Shannon said honestly. “In fact I’m rather eager to do so.” Winston looked at her questioningly but Shannon caught herself before she said any more. After all, she didn’t have any real concrete evidence. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that I had relevant information or anything. It’s just my writer’s mind at work.” Winston nodded and wished her good luck before leaving the room.
Before Shannon could start to enjoy the second cup of coffee she had poured, two detectives reentered the room and headed towards her. She smiled as they approached but their stern expressions didn’t change. They introduced themselves, showed her their credentials and pulled out chairs. Once they had introduced themselves, Shannon did the same.
“So you are a guest here. Can you tell us when you arrived?”
“The night before last.”
“And your purpose for visiting?”
Shannon explained about her book and the research she was doing. The questioning continued on a very basic level for a bit and then they got down to the nitty gritty.
“And where were you last night between ten and two?”
“I was in my room and before you ask, I don’t have anyone who can verify that.” Her remark brought the faintest twinge of a smile to the detective’s face.
“You read a lot of murder mysteries do you?” he said with a tad too much sarcasm for her liking.
“I write them,” she said in a matter of fact tone. The detective laughed outright and almost startled Shannon into spilling her coffee. From there the conversation took a friendlier tone and Shannon felt more comfortable disclosing her information.
She told them about her two sessions of eavesdropping on Aiden and his lawyer as well as the butler and the maid. She told them about finding the locked room and her discoveries in Maeve’s room. She also told them about Aiden’s drunken accusations towards Winston, but they had already witnessed that for themselves.
“So are you saying that you think Maeve was the “someone else” who had found the room and that maybe she was going to blow the whistle on somebody?”
“I think it’s a possibility, don’t you?”
The detective said nothing while he jotted notes in his little book. When he did finally speak it was simply to dismiss her.
“What I think, is that you should leave the detecting to the detectives. Don’t go far,” he said. “We may need to talk to you again.” He and his partner rose then and left the room.
“Like there’s anyplace I can go,” Shannon mumbled. The detectives had given no indication of how they felt about her observances. She couldn’t help but wonder if they didn’t think she was just some crazy mystery writer looking for her next big plot.
Shannon decided to soothe her somewhat bruised ego with some breakfast, and headed to the kitchen to see what she could find. She stopped dead in her tracks when she found the two detectives there questioning the dining room maid. The woman saw Shannon enter and her eyes shot daggers in her direction. Clearly the detectives were asking her about things she didn’t wish to discuss.
Abandoning all hope of having breakfast, Shannon decided to head outside. Maybe she would head down to the barn and see how Sean was doing. She wondered if the police had questioned him yet.
Sean was there, as she had hoped and she found him bent over a rusty looking tractor. He was tinkering with something under its hood and bumped his head when she startled him.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I was just looking for some company.” When she explained about the detectives and the questioning and mentioned her growling stomach, he laughed and wiped his greasy hands on a rag hanging from his pocket.
“I was about ready to kick this old piece of junk and call it quits anyway. Why don’t we head over to my cottage and I’ll cook us some breakfast?”
“That’s the best invitation I’ve had since I got here. Thanks.”
They were just enjoying what seemed to Shannon like a feast of scrambled eggs, ham and toast when a loud knock came to the door. Sean could see the two men through the window. “Better finish up quick,” he said. “We’re about to be interrupted.”
Shannon shoveled her last few bites into her mouth in a very unladylike fashion. Who knew how long it might be before she saw food again?
Sean escorted the same two detectives into the room. This time they smiled when they saw her, but Shannon still felt annoyed just looking at them. She rose to excuse herself, assuming they were there to question Sean as they had questioned her. Instead, she was surprised by their suggestion that she not leave.
“We have something to tell you, sir,” the first detective said to Sean. And the lady needs to hear it too.”
Shannon and Sean both returned to their seats and the detectives pulled up chairs across from them. Looking directly at Shannon, the detective who had so annoyed her earlier, spoke first.
“I’m afraid we’ve uncovered a secondary crime while we’ve been investigating your mum’s murder. It seems the maid and the butler set up a counterfeit money operation in the cellar. It’s very primitive, mind you, and I doubt they would have succeeded in passing much of the money off. But it is an illegal operation and it was set up within your property. You need to know that we will have to arrest the two of them and remove them from your employ.”
“Of course,” Sean replied. “Do you think there is any connection between this operation and my mum’s murder?” The detective again locked gazes with Shannon, though his answer was directed at Sean.
“No, we don’t think so at this point. The maid and the butler were not in the castle during the time period in which we believe your mum was killed. They spent the evening huddl
ed in a corner of The Steak and Ale Pub, no doubt discussing business. Then on their way home they apparently called another employee of yours, a Mr. Jack Greene to bring them some fuel. Their alibi is solid, I’m afraid.”
“And are there any other suspects?” Sean asked. “My brother seems quite adamant that it was Dr. Winthrop. He feels he had motive with the plan to change the will and all, and he would have access to that kind of poison no doubt.”
The detective shook his head. “We’ve questioned the doctor, and he too has an airtight alibi. We’ve questioned the remaining staff and are trying to get in touch with the guests who departed yesterday. I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid we are just without any good leads at this point. We’re hoping of course that a thorough search of your mum’s room might reveal something new.”
Sean thanked the detectives for their efforts and saw them to the door. “Have they already questioned you?” Shannon asked when he returned to the kitchen.
“They have. I think perhaps I was their very first interview. They were here at the crack of dawn. I guess because I am Maeve’s son but don’t live in the castle they assumed we’d had a falling out of some sort.”
“I suppose that would be a logical assumption on their part. You were able to convince them of your innocence?”
“I certainly hope so,” Sean laughed. “I had no alibi. I was here alone all evening as I am most evenings. I guess I just have to hope that justice will prevail.”
Shannon didn’t think it a laughing matter in the least and she told him as much. “You never know what crazy ideas they might get. I wouldn’t be so flip about it if I were you. That just might make you look guilty.”
Sean laughed again. “Now don’t you go getting all Agatha Christie on me. I’m innocent and that will be proven. Now what do you say we dawdle over a second cup of coffee?”
Chapter Eleven
It was time for Shannon to get some work done. Things weren’t going at all well in that department. With all that was going on, it was hard to find anyone about, let alone anyone who would sit and chat with her about The Lady in Gray.
So far all she had was the original tale that Maeve had told her, Maeve’s description of how the ghost had changed of late, and a few tidbits she had picked up here and there from people’s casual conversations. There must be somebody here with a little more insight; she just didn’t know who it might be.
Maeve had been her best source of information and she was gone. But she must have talked to someone. She must have done something other than sit in this castle all day. Did she attend church? Did she visit friends? Shannon only knew one person who would be willing to help her.
This time Shannon didn’t find Sean in the barn or the garage. At first she thought he wasn’t around at all, then the bleating of sheep led her to the meadow where a huge pen was constructed to confine a group of about twenty of the furry creatures.
Sean was standing in the middle of them looking a bit frustrated. Shannon leaned over the edge of the wooden fence. “Hi there. You look a little defeated. These furry guys getting the better of you?”
He looked up at the sound of her voice and smiled. “Just trying to keep busy. Keep my mind off things. I thought I’d come out here and see if any of these guys needed a hoof trim, but they are definitely not in the mood. Come to think of it, neither am I.”
“Good, because I don’t want to keep you from something important. I wanted to ask you a question about your mom if you’re okay to talk.”
“No problem. What would you like to know?”
“Well, with your mom gone, I really don’t have anybody to provide information about the castle’s ghost, and that is what I’m here for. I was hoping maybe you could direct me to a friend or someone your mom may have confided in. Then I could hopefully get some information from them.”
Sean thought for a moment, rubbing his fingers absently through his red beard. “I think your best bet would be Martha Doyle. Mum went to town to visit her every week. They used to quilt together but they both gave it up when arthritis and poor eyesight made it difficult. But they continued their weekly visits just the same. I’m sure if mum confided her ghost stories to anyone, it would be to her.”
“Wonderful.” Shannon said eagerly. “Where do I find Martha Doyle?”
“I’d be happy to take you into town. I could drop you at Martha’s, do a few errands and pick you up again. How does that sound?”
“Fantastic. Are you able to get in touch with her to set something up? She might find it odd if a total stranger calls.”
“I’ll go call her right now. There’s no time like the present, as the saying goes.” They walked together back to Sean’s cottage. After a short telephone conversation, Sean turned to her with a look of satisfaction. “Mrs. Doyle will see you this afternoon at two,” he said with an exaggerated bow. Shannon laughed.
“Thanks so much, Sean. I’ll get back to the castle and change my clothes and gather my things. I’ll be ready and waiting for you.”
“I’ll be at the castle at 1:30. That’ll get us there right on time.”
Martha Doyle lived in a small cottage on the edge of town. The road was narrow and winding, and a string of small cottages were snuggled close together giving the impression that they were attached to one another.
Martha’s cottage was painted a pale blue like the sea, and the windows were trimmed in yellow. A rather worn looking picket fence ran along the front of the house trying it’s best to contain a garden that was more than a little overgrown.
Trellises flanked the door and were heavy with a vine of some sort that had probably been quite beautiful in the summer. Other walls were covered with ivy that had turned a glorious shade of red.
Sean tapped on the door and a few minutes later it was opened by the sweetest looking woman Shannon had ever seen. If the Irish had legends of fairies, or sprites, this woman had surely been one of them.
She was tiny and short with a thick head of curly silver hair. Her dress was made of a pale green print that looked like a field of wildflowers, and behind her thin rimmed glasses, pale blue eyes sparkled with life. Shannon liked her instantly.
She smiled and reached up to engulf Sean in a big hug. “I’m so sorry, dear. How are you managing? Your mum is going to be dearly missed.”
“I’m doing okay, Martha. We’ll get by. Now, let me introduce you to my friend. Martha, Shannon Porter, a visitor to our fair isle from America.”
Shannon stepped forward and shook the old lady’s hand. Her fingers were small and frail but their grip was still strong, giving Shannon the impression that this was a woman unafraid of hard work.
“I’m so happy to meet you. And thank you for inviting me to your home.” The ladies headed inside and Sean took his leave, telling Shannon that he would return in two hours.
“Take your time, son,” Martha said, waving a small hand in the air. “We girls have plenty to talk about.”
Sean laughed. “Two hours. That should be ample time.”
Martha had already laid the table with tiny sandwiches, biscuits and tea. It was obvious she was looking forward to having company. Before long they were chatting away about Irish folklore, ghosts and Maeve herself.
Her story of the Lady in Gray matched Maeve’s exactly and she also confirmed that Maeve had been seeing the ghost since she moved to the castle. She always talked about the ghost coming to her in times of trouble and sitting by her bed while Maeve poured out her woes.
“She never once told me of an evil or even mischievous encounter, until recently of course. Just last week she said she had seen the Lady several times outside her room in the hall, and outside her window in the garden, each time carrying a bloody knife and her gown smeared with blood.”
“Shannon nodded. She told me that story too, the first night I spoke to her. She also said that guests had heard strange clanging and banging that hadn’t been heard before.”
A frown creased Martha’s forehead. “Oh that was s
omething different entirely. That wasn’t the ghost at all. Maeve heard those noises on several occasions and figured they were coming from the cellar. She told me she went down there and discovered the maid and the butler setting up some kind of new fan dangled canning operation.”
Shannon let that little tidbit sink in. So Maeve had found the counterfeiting operation but had been fooled into thinking it was something else. Would the maid and the butler have let that go? Or would they still have wanted to eliminate her in case she caught them in their lie? Shannon would let that thought mull around for a while.
Martha’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Don’t you agree, dear?”
Shannon realized she had no idea what Martha was asking her.
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t you agree that it’s strange for a spirit to suddenly become evil?”
“I do, yes. I think it’s quite unlikely. I hope I am able to get to the bottom of this little mystery, and your tales today have been a great help. I’ll be sure to mention you in my book. And when it comes out, I’ll send you a copy if you like.”
Martha clapped her hands together like a little girl. “I should love that,” she grinned.
Shannon was ready and waiting when Sean returned. She was more anxious than ever now to get back to the castle and make her notes.
Chapter Twelve
Back in her room, Shannon let all of the thoughts about the murder whirl around in her head. The doctor, maid and butler had alibis. The guests who had left would have no motive as far as she could see. She was absolutely certain that it wasn’t Sean, but what about Aiden? Shannon hadn’t taken a liking to him at all and he did seem to be the one making the most fuss and pointing fingers. She wondered if that might be to cover up his own guilt.
