Dorothy’s jaw dropped. “Julia, I can’t believe this is coming from you. Are you saying you think Richard is poisoning her?” Her face flushed red.
“I’m only exploring possibilities, Dorothy. Richard mentioned she has special cookies that no one else eats, and he might not be careful enough with her condition. It’s just that Evandra was fine before … when exactly did Richard start coming here?”
Dorothy’s face turned beet red. “The only thing he’s made just for her are those cookies. The ones with the little caraway seeds. She loves them. And no, they’re a lot of work, that’s why we save them for her.” Dorothy’s voice had risen. “Julia, if there were anything wrong with those cookies, she’d have a reaction immediately, or certainly within twenty to thirty minutes. If you think they’re poisoned, you’re wrong. I’m a nurse. It’s just not possible that her symptoms wouldn’t appear quickly, rather than several hours later!”
“Please don’t be upset that I asked,” I said quickly. “I’ll take your word for it. It’s just that I didn’t like the connections between their charts.”
Dorothy stood. “You’ve never liked Richard. That’s what it is. And to think I’ve listened to your advice all this time. I can’t believe you could even think something like that.”
My face stung as if she’d slapped me. “Dorothy, that’s not fair. I’ve always given you thoughtful advice and been completely honest with you.” I’d stuck my head into a hornet’s nest. Dorothy was obviously hoping against hope that she and Richard could reconcile, and I was pulling a scab off an old wound by implying her husband might be capable of an unthinkable act.
“And if that’s how you feel about Richard, maybe you should find another place to stay.” Dorothy stood up and marched out, slamming the door behind her.
“I will. As soon as the séance is over, I’ll leave,” I answered to an empty room.
TWENTY-EIGHT
I THREW OFF THE comforter and stomped around the room gathering my clothes. I was angry. Why couldn’t I ask the questions I’d asked? I’d never really accused Richard of anything; I merely asked if Evandra could be allergic to something he wasn’t aware of. Why did Dorothy react so vehemently? She was being obsessively protective of Richard and not listening to reason. Maybe she was under so much stress she’d overreacted to my questions. All I wanted to do that minute was pack my suitcase and head home to my apartment. The hell with the Army of the Prophet and my landlady. I certainly didn’t need to stay here and be insulted.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t exactly leave now. I felt responsible for the séance I’d arranged. But as soon as it was over, at the very least, I’d go back to my grandmother’s. It was probably only one more night in a cold house. I’d survive. The new furnace would be installed in another day or so.
I washed my face and brushed my hair and pulled on a fresh sweater. Then I straightened up the bed, packed my laptop and folders away, and put all my clothes into my overnight bag. If I couldn’t leave immediately, I’d at least be ready to go. As I descended the stairway, I heard Richard’s voice calling up to me. He was standing on the lower step of the staircase.
“Julia, Nikolai’s here … and Alba and Reggie have already set up everything in the library. We’ll use the round table with chairs all around. Does that sound all right?”
“That’ll work,” I responded.
Richard moved closer and spoke quietly. “Julia, what’s going on? Dorothy seems really upset and won’t tell me what’s wrong.”
“We can talk later, Richard. This isn’t the best time.” I was sure Dorothy would tell him what it was about, but I’d leave it up to her.
He shrugged and turned away, and I headed into the library. Dorothy stood by the fireplace, her jaw set, refusing to meet my eyes. Zora was walking in circles around the table, murmuring to herself. Nikolai had donned purple robes and placed several large candles around the room. He cut a very impressive figure. He caught my eye and winked. I knew that Gudrun and Eunice were closeted upstairs in Eunice’s room while everyone else waited in the parlor. I was fairly certain Nikolai would put on a good show. Depending on what happened, I just hoped it wouldn’t be too upsetting or disappointing for Evandra.
Zora turned to me. “There are strong energies close by. I feel sure we’ll have some communication tonight. Julia, will you ask everyone to come in, please?”
I nodded and left the room. I found Reggie chatting happily to Alba in the front parlor. She nodded occasionally but seemed distracted. She looked frightened, and I was sure she was only here under duress.
Richard led Evandra slowly down the stairs and into the library and helped her sit. Her face was flushed with excitement. Richard sat next to her and Dorothy took the seat on the other side of her aunt across from Reggie. Alba hesitated in the doorway but finally took a seat at the round table next to Reggie. I sat on Reggie’s other side. When we were all seated, Nikolai and Zora sat down across the table from each other. Outside, the rain pelted furiously against the library windows. I caught a flash of lightning and the lights in the chandelier flickered for a moment. It happened so quickly I wasn’t sure I hadn’t imagined it.
Nikolai had turned off the lights in the front parlor and dining room. A small lamp was still lit in the front hallway. No light could reach us in the library. Candlelight cast eerie shadows against the bookshelves and ceiling. No one spoke a word. We waited for Nikolai’s instructions. He stood and raised his arms. In a booming voice, he spoke. “As I pass through the vays, I feel the presence of the gods. They are vith me and I vith them forever.” He glanced around the table at each of us, and finally, with a nod from Zora, said, “May vee in this circle be protected from any and all harm.”
He sat down. “Please. Take hand of the person next to you.” He reached over and took Richard’s hand on one side and Alba’s on the other. He nodded once to Zora. “Be patient, everyone, and vhatever you do, this is most important, do not break circle.”
Zora closed her eyes, breathing slowly and deeply for several minutes. We watched her intently. No one spoke a word or appeared to breathe. Nikolai studied Zora’s face. After several interminable minutes, Zora’s head dropped to her chest. Her breathing was faster.
Nikolai spoke. “Is someone here? Do you haf message for us?”
We waited. Zora continued to breathe rapidly. Nikolai asked again, “Is anyone vith us tonight?”
Zora raised her head slowly, and her expression had shifted. She rose higher in her chair, her head slowly turning from side to side with a coquettish air. Her neck appeared to lengthen. “I’m here. I’ve been trying … ”
I stared, not sure if what I was seeing was a trick of the light. Dorothy gasped. Nikolai shot her a warning look.
“… to reach you.”
“It’s Lily!” Evandra cried.
I glanced at Reggie and Alba. Reggie’s mouth hung open in disbelief. Alba looked frightened, as if she were about to flee the room.
Nikolai spoke. “You haf message for us?”
“Yes.” The voice was not Zora’s normally rough tone. It was several octaves higher. The skin on my arms prickled. What was happening? I struggled to stay in this reality. Could Zora really be channeling Lily’s spirit?
“Danger.” Zora’s head dropped to her chest.
“What nonsense,” Dorothy muttered under her breath. Richard shushed her.
“Danger for whom, spirit?” Nikolai asked.
Zora raised her head, her eyes blazing. “For all.”
“Lily!” Evandra cried.
Nikolai asked again, “Vhat danger?”
Still in that girlish voice, Zora said, “Danger … death is planned.”
A tremendous thunderclap struck, shaking the entire house. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky beyond the library windows and threw the stone statuary in the garden into high relief. A cold draft swept through the room. The candles flickered in the sudden rush of air and were extinguished. Evandra cried out and collapsed in her chair.
TWENTY-NINE
DOROTHY PUT HER ARMS around Evandra. Nikolai shouted at her, “Do not break circle. Vee must close portal properly.”
Dorothy glared at him but said nothing as she gently lifted Evandra’s head. Nikolai stood and, holding out his hands, murmured unintelligible words.
Richard pulled a lighter out of his pocket and stood to re-light the candles. He hit the light switch but nothing happened. “Maybe a fuse blew. I’ll check the box.”
Zora sat quietly in her chair, her eyes closed, her chin resting on her ample bosom. Nikolai circled the table and knelt next to her. Taking her hands in his, he checked her pulse. She seemed to be sleeping. He cradled her face and called her name. Her eyes flickered open.
“What happened?” she asked. “Did anything happen?”
“Yes, dear. Are you all right?”
“I think so.”
He turned to the rest of us. “This could haf been very dangerous, breaking the circle. I varned you.” He glared at Dorothy, who ignored him. Evandra’s eyes opened.
“It was Lily, wasn’t it?” she asked plaintively. “What happened?”
“You fainted, dear, that’s all,” Dorothy responded. Richard returned and hit the electrical switch again. The room was flooded with light from the chandelier.
“It was Lily. I know it was.” Evandra’s voice rose in pitch, her breathing fast. She looked at me pleadingly. “Julia? It was Lily. Wasn’t it! Please tell me!”
Dorothy shook her head to warn me not to say anything, then helped Evandra from her chair. “Help me get her up to bed, Julia. This has been too much for her.”
I wondered if her request indicated a truce between us. Together, our arms around Evandra’s slight frame, we walked her slowly up the stairs. Dorothy undressed her aunt and helped her into a nightgown while I pulled down the bedcovers.
“Stay here for a moment, Julia. I just want to look in on Eunice and make sure she and Gudrun are set for the night. It’ll just take me a moment.”
Evandra looked up at me beseechingly from her bed. “I know it was her, Julia. I know we’re in danger. Make sure Richard stays here, Julia. I’ll be safe as long as he and Reggie are in the house. Now I know our family didn’t die out. Reggie really is the image of my brother as a young man.”
I heard Dorothy call my name from the hallway. There was an urgency to her tone. I hurried out to the hallway and saw her, pale-faced, standing outside the door to Eunice’s room, holding a slip of paper in her hand.
“They’re gone!”
“Gone?”
“Eunice and Gudrun. They’ve gone to the Prophet.”
THIRTY
DOROTHY WORDLESSLY HANDED ME the note, written in Eunice’s spidery hand. “Should I call the police?”
“Yes.” I quickly scanned the paper. I think you should.”
My dear Dorothy,
I have decided to take up residence at the Prophet’s Paradise. Thank you for all you have done for us and please forgive my leaving in this fashion.
Your loving aunt,
Eunice
Still, I wasn’t sure what the police might be able to do about bringing Eunice back. Dorothy could accuse Gudrun of abduction, although the note would shed a completely different light on the situation.
“I’ll do that right now.” Dorothy hurried down the stairs to the telephone.
“What’s happening? What’s going on?” Evandra called out from her bedroom.
I returned to her room and sat down next to her on the bed. “Eunice and Gudrun have gone to the Prophet’s Paradise. Eunice left a note.”
“That silly woman. Never did have the sense God gave a billy goat. I suppose she thinks she’ll be raising bees, no doubt.”
“If that’s the worst that happens, I’ll be happy,” I replied. “Stay here, Evandra. I’ll come back and let you know what’s going on.”
I returned to my room, debating what I should do. I couldn’t very well pack up and go, leaving Dorothy to deal with Eunice’s decampment. Perhaps she had recovered from her earlier outburst, but I no longer wanted to stay where I might not be welcome. Her rebuke still stung deeply.
Wizard was sitting on the floor, at attention, staring at me, well aware that something was wrong. I picked him up and sat on the bed, holding him on my lap while I thought about the best course of action. I was torn between staying at the Gamble house tonight to see what came to pass and moving back to Castle Alley tomorrow morning, or sneaking away now like a gypsy in the night. I weighed both options and finally decided to stay long enough to make sure Dorothy didn’t need any help, but remain ready to leave as soon as possible.
Several minutes later, I heard Dorothy’s voice downstairs. She was talking to the police. I wondered what she’d said to cause them to arrive so quickly. I hesitated but finally decided to join them.
Downstairs, every light in the house was blazing. Nikolai and Zora stood in the archway of the parlor. Nikolai still wore his robes. Two police officers, an older man and a young woman, were questioning Dorothy.
“Do you know if your aunt left of her own free will?”
Dorothy hesitated. “Well, she left a note, but I still consider it an abduction. She’s eighty-seven years old and she gets addled easily. Her companion is an employee, not a relative. She had no right to take her anywhere, particularly at this time of night.”
“Has anything happened that might have upset her?”
“No more than usual,” Dorothy replied. The young female police officer had turned and was staring at Nikolai and Zora. Nikolai smiled his most charming smile as he scanned her trim figure.
“Ma’am, I don’t know that there’s much we can do. If your aunt left a note, she’s a free agent. Unless you think she might have been coerced.”
“Not coerced in the way you mean. Just led astray. There must be something you can do to find her.”
“If you have any suggestions as to where she might have gone, we’d be happy to talk to her in the morning, just to make sure she’s operating with all her faculties.”
“That’s just it. I don’t. If I knew where she was, I’d go there myself,” Dorothy shouted. “They go to that church up on Mason. Maybe she took her there.”
“Well, we can check that location tonight and see if anyone’s around, but it’s more than likely closed. We’ll have someone go there first thing tomorrow. Do you have a home address for this … companion?”
“She lives here. The agency I hired her from will have her other information.”
“Give us the name of the agency, and we’ll check with them as soon as they open in the morning. There’s not much we can do tonight. We’ll have someone contact you first thing. If you don’t hear from her in twenty-four hours, we can report her as a missing person. That might help you locate her.”
The officers took down the agency information and departed, and Dorothy’s shoulders slumped. Holding on to the banister, she sank down on the stairs and started to sob. Nikolai shook his head sadly. Zora looked on silently, along with Richard and Reggie, who’d joined the group in the hallway while Dorothy pled with the police.
I approached her and put an arm around her shoulders. “Dorothy.” She turned into my arms and I held her while she sobbed. “There’s nothing you can do tonight. We’ll figure it out in the morning.” She nodded silently. Richard took her hand and led her up the stairs, his arm supporting her. I looked at Reggie. His face was white and drawn.
“Do you think I should go walk about, Julia?”
“No. I think you need to stay and see what you can do to help Dorothy out. I know she’s been anything but gracious, but hang out for a little while till we see what’s needed, okay?”
He nodded and climbed the stairs to his room.
Nikolai approached. “Julia, vee should leave.”
I nodded. I helped him and Zora find their coats and watched them brave the rain as they ran to Nikolai’s car. Then I walked through the first floor, turning off l
ights and checking that doors and windows were locked. I climbed the stairs to my room. As exhausted as I was, I wasn’t able to sleep. I was haunted by my conversation with Dorothy, regretful that I had broached the subject of Richard, but there were questions that needed to be asked. Was it just a coincidence that Evandra’s strange behavior coincided with Richard’s presence? Was their connection truly an unhealthy one, with Richard’s Neptune affecting Evandra’s Ascendant and Moon? Was Dorothy right in her defense of Richard? After all, she was a nurse. She should know how long it would take a drug or poison to enter the system and symptoms to become obvious. She had said twenty to thirty minutes at most, not three hours or more. Nothing made any sense. How typical of a Neptune transit! I shed my clothes and climbed into bed, eventually falling into a fitful sleep.
THIRTY-ONE
I WASN’T SURE AT first what woke me. My hand groped around the bedcovers, trying to feel Wizard’s sleeping body. He had curled up in a ball next to me as I was falling asleep. I reached up and turned on the light next to the bed and called his name. He was across the room, standing at attention, staring at the door to the hallway. I called to him softly, but he ignored me. He stood, hair on end, and emitted an atavistic howl that made my blood run cold. Was someone outside my door?
I leaped out of bed and stroked his head. “Stay here, Wiz.” I grabbed my robe and cracked the door open. Making sure to keep Wizard inside the room, I stepped out. The hallway was dimly lit by only one wall sconce. I listened carefully, but heard nothing. Moving cautiously toward the stairway, I peered up into the darkness at the top, but could see nothing. I shivered involuntarily.
When I turned to go back to my room, I caught a faint floral smell. I couldn’t place it at first, and then it came to me—the smell of gardenias. Was I imagining that? What was it Evandra had said when she spoke of Lily? When she’s present, you can smell gardenias. I shivered again and rushed back to my room, shutting the door firmly behind me.
The Madness of Mercury Page 16
