Ghostly Vows

by K E O'Connor

  “Charlotte loves him. I’ve seen they’re having problems, but it’s because Ralph is sick.”

  “We should investigate his room,” whispered Helen. “There could be something in there that will give us answers.”

  I felt uncomfortable about the thought of snooping on such a sick man. He’d been nothing but decent to me in my time here.

  Johnny tugged my sleeve and pointed at Ralph’s chair again.

  “I know. We need to see what we can find out. But I don’t like this.”

  We waited a few moments until Ralph had left the great hall before leaving our hiding spot and sneaking into the hallway.

  “See if you can find him,” I said to Helen. “He must have come down for breakfast. That will give us time to sneak up to his room and have a look around before he returns.”

  Helen dashed away, returning a few minutes later and giving me a thumbs-up. “He’s in the dining room. He’s just settling at the table. Charlotte is also there.”

  “Okay. Let’s take a peek in his room.” I kept a look out for Tilly as we hurried to Ralph’s room.

  The curtains were still pulled across the windows as we entered. The room had a slight musty smell as if the bed linen needed airing.

  Helen’s nose wrinkled. “This room needs my attention. I could have it smelling sweet in no time. It looks like the cleaning staff hasn’t been in for months.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t like people snooping around his room.”

  “Our snooping is for a good cause,” said Helen.

  “Look at all these pills.” I approached Ralph’s bedside cabinet. It was littered with different bottles. I recognized a few of the names on the pill bottles. They were mainly pain medications.

  “Okay, so he isn’t faking his illness,” said Helen as she also studied the pill bottles. “Maybe some of these give him a burst of energy. He could have taken a handful of energy pills to get up the turret stairs and shove Johnny off.”

  Johnny floated over and looked at the pills. He shook his head.

  “I don’t think that’s likely. If he had pills that gave him energy, wouldn’t he use them every day, so he wasn’t stuck in his chair?”

  “You could be right. I’ll check the closet,” said Helen. “You look through his bedside cabinet.”

  Reluctantly, I checked through his cabinet. There was nothing exciting in there, clean socks and handkerchiefs, a few receipts, and spare bottles of pills.

  “What are these?” Helen backed out of the closet. In her hand was a packet containing two plastic cylinders.

  I walked over. “I’ve no idea.”

  “They’ve got the word epinephrine on the side.”

  “Epi-pens,” I said. “They use them when people have allergic reactions. Perhaps Ralph has an allergy to bee stings or peanuts and needs these as a precaution.”

  “As if he hasn’t already got enough wrong with him. How do they work?”

  “They flood the person’s system with adrenaline. It reverses the symptoms of the reaction. I’ve seen TV dramas when they inject them into someone’s heart to get it started again.”

  “There’s a thought. Would using an epi-pen give Ralph enough energy to get him up the stairs and onto the turret, giving him super strength?”

  I stared at the epi-pens. “It wouldn’t be super strength, but it might give him a burst of temporary energy. Ralph told me he can walk when he makes the effort, but he uses his chair because he gets so tired. If he injected himself with an epi-pen then went after Johnny, it should give him time to climb the stairs, do the deed, and get back to his chair before collapsing.”

  “Maybe I should borrow one of these for my wedding.” Helen inspected the pack. “It will give me a boost. Are there any side-effects?”

  I took the epi-pens from her. “Loads. What do you think, Johnny? Could Ralph have been on the turret with you the night you died?”

  Johnny’s gaze was on the epi-pens. He shrugged and then nodded.

  “Which means he must have known about your affair with Charlotte,” I said.

  Helen cocked her head to the side. “What’s that noise?”

  I hurried to the door and pressed my ear against it. Dread clutched my stomach. “It’s Ralph’s wheelchair. He’s back too soon.”

  Helen looked around the room. “I’ll hide in the closet. You get under the bed.”

  “We can’t hide! What if he finds us?”

  “He’ll definitely find us if we stay where we are.”

  I made a run for the bed, Johnny hovering by the side of it looking anxious.

  “You have nothing to worry about. He won’t see you.”

  Helen had the closet door open and was about to climb in as the bedroom door swung open.

  Ralph’s eyes widened as he saw us.

  “We can explain,” said Helen, pulling her leg out of the closet.

  He blinked twice before slowly pushing himself into the bedroom. “I’ll be interested to hear that. What are you looking for in my closet? Are you having a game of hide and seek?”

  “No, we’re not playing a game.” Helen’s gaze went to me. “I was looking for things to darn.”

  “And Lorna, what brings you in here?” Ralph’s tone was skeptical. “Other than that old suit of armor in the corner of the room, we don’t keep antiques in my bedroom.”

  “Well, I was just, I mean to say...” no good lies came to mind.

  “What are those?” Helen pointed to the epi-pens. “Why do you have them?”

  Ralph’s lips thinned. “Where did you get those?”

  “They were hidden in the back of your closet,” I said. “Shouldn’t you keep them close by if you have an allergy to something?”

  “I don’t have an allergy.”

  “Why do you have them?” I asked him.

  Ralph licked his lips. “I have all sorts of different medications. My doctor has tried various regimes over the years to improve my situation.”

  “These are adrenaline pens. They should only be used in an emergency situation.” I studied the packet I held closely. “One has been used. This pack came with three. What did you use one for?”

  “I don’t recall,” said Ralph.

  “You used it because you needed to stop your wife’s affair.”

  Johnny swirled around Ralph, concern on his face.

  Ralph swallowed loudly. “What do you know of that?”

  “I know Johnny and Charlotte were attracted to each other.”

  “My wife is a beautiful woman. I imagine lots of men are attracted to her.”

  “Did you use an adrenaline shot to get yourself out of that chair and onto the turret the night Johnny died?”

  Ralph glanced around the room, his hands tight on the wheels of his chair. “That’s nonsense.”

  “You knew Johnny would help you fix the aerial. You asked him to go up there in bad weather, used the epi-pen, then crept up and pushed him off the side.”

  Ralph looked down at his hands. “I liked Johnny.”

  “But not so much when he showed an interest in Charlotte.”

  Ralph sighed. “I wish he hadn’t done it.”

  “Done what?” asked Helen.

  “Tried to get my wife to stray. Our marriage isn’t perfect.” Ralph tapped the wheels of his chair. “I know I’m to blame for that. I did what I could to make Charlotte happy. We were doing fine. Then Johnny arrived.”

  “They started an affair?” I asked.

  Ralph nodded. “I don’t know how far it went. I could see they liked each other. At first, I wasn’t concerned. I might have mentioned before that Johnny flirted with anybody.”

  “It was different with Charlotte?”

  He nodded. “I’d sometimes see them sneaking glances at each other. I happened upon them several times when they appeared closer than they should. Charlotte had begun to seek Johnny and ask him questions about the castle management. She was using it as an excuse to spend time with him. Charlotte should be talking to me
about those sorts of things.”

  “So, you did something about it?” I asked.

  “What’s going on in here?” Charlotte appeared in the doorway. “I didn’t realize we were having a gathering in your bedroom.” She looked from me to Helen as she walked to Ralph’s chair and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  He clasped her hand and let out a shaky sigh. “I’m relieved you found out. The guilt has been making me feel terrible.”

  “What have you got to feel guilty about?” asked Charlotte, concern in her voice. “What’s going on?”

  He looked up at her. “I acted out of jealousy. I was scared I was losing you. I had to do something to stop you from going off with Johnny.”

  Charlotte’s cheeks glowed. “Johnny! What’s Johnny got to do with this?”

  “You were falling in love with him,” said Ralph sadly.

  “I never loved Johnny.” Charlotte glanced from me to Helen again. “What have you been telling my husband?”

  “They’ve been telling me the truth,” said Ralph. “They’ve shown me that what I did was wrong. It’s been eating me up inside. I’m sure it’s made me sicker. I’ve got no appetite and haven’t been sleeping.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “I still don’t understand.”

  “You say you didn’t love Johnny,” said Ralph, “but there was a fondness between you. I understand it. He was a young, good-looking guy. I’m an aging, sick man, who can’t give you half the things you desire. I cannot love you the way you want me to, like a proper husband should.”

  “You give me everything I need.” Charlotte patted his shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

  “I cannot give you the physical touch you crave. This ruined body has stopped me from doing that.”

  Charlotte’s cheeks flushed again. “That’s not important.”

  “It is in any marriage. I understand why you turned your attention to a man who could provide those things for you.”

  “No! You’re wrong.” Charlotte kneeled next to Ralph’s wheelchair. “I will admit I was fond of Johnny. He made me feel alive. He made me feel desired and desirable. I was tempted.”

  “You didn’t have an affair with Johnny?” I asked.

  She glanced at me. “We kissed a few times.”

  Ralph’s head lowered. “I knew it.”

  “But nothing else. He knew I loved you.”

  Johnny nodded as he watched them.

  “Johnny could also see I was lonely,” said Charlotte. “And, I will admit there were times when I felt unloved by you.”

  “I have always loved you,” said Ralph.

  “I know. It was when I was feeling stressed and tired. I wanted you by my side but knew that wasn’t possible because of your illness. I didn’t like to complain, so I looked elsewhere, and there was Johnny. He gave me as much time as I needed. He was a great listener and always asked the right questions. He made me feel like I mattered.”

  “You would have eventually been with him,” said Ralph. “I could see that for myself. It was only a matter of time before you strayed. I had to do something about that before it went too far.”

  “I’m so sorry. I knew it was wrong.” Charlotte’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Ralph. “What do you mean, you needed to do something about it?”

  Ralph looked at the epi-pens in my hand. “Johnny didn’t fall off the turret. I pushed him off.”

  A startled gasp came out of Charlotte. “That’s impossible. You can’t climb the stairs on your own.”

  “I had medical intervention,” said Ralph. “The doctor left me those pens in the event of an emergency. He knew I was getting weak, and there was damage to my heart. He left me the epi-pens in case the worst happened, and I needed to be revived.”

  Charlotte blinked rapidly. “You never told me.”

  “I didn’t want to worry you. I did some research into the pens and what they could do. When I needed to act and stop your affair, those pens were the only way.”

  “You could have killed yourself,” said Charlotte. “You had no way of knowing how these drugs would work on you.”

  “I had a fair idea. I was prepared to take the risk to get up those stairs.”

  “Your heart could have given out with the stress,” said Charlotte. “I could have lost you.”

  “I was losing you. I was desperate. I understand why you needed more than me.” Ralph’s chin dipped. “I was so jealous when I saw you with Johnny and how happy he made you.”

  Charlotte wiped a hand across her cheek. “He made me laugh. Johnny made me feel young again.”

  Johnny swirled around the room. I couldn’t figure out whether he was angry or sad.

  “You are young,” said Ralph. “You deserve more than a sick old man, who cannot provide for you.”

  She cupped his face in her hands. “You provide for me perfectly. We can get through this. Nobody needs to know.”

  Ralph pulled back. “What are you saying? I killed Johnny. I confessed to you that I’m a murderer.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “I drove you to it. This is as much my fault as it is yours.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Only the four of us know.” Charlotte stood and looked at me and Helen. “We can keep this quiet. Nobody else needs to find out. Johnny didn’t have any family, no one to mourn for him.”

  “He had friends and a girlfriend who mourn for him. This isn’t a secret we can keep,” I said.

  “It has to be.” Charlotte hurried over and grabbed my hands. “I’ll double your pay if you keep quiet. Please, Ralph can’t go to prison. He would never survive that.”

  I looked at Helen. “He killed somebody.”

  “You heard his reason. This is my fault. He would never have done it if I hadn’t been weak. I should never have looked at Johnny. I should never have been tempted. I made a mistake. I was so lonely.”

  Johnny floated to Charlotte’s side, his expression glum.

  “We understand why you did it,” said Helen. “That doesn’t make it right. Ralph must answer for his crime.”

  “I will triple both of your wages,” said Charlotte. “I’ll give you whatever you want. I have a villa in Tuscany. You can have that. Or cars, you can have new cars. Whatever you want. Please don’t tell anybody about what Ralph has done.”

  “A new car,” said Helen. “I have been thinking of upgrading.”

  I shook my head at her. “We don’t need new cars.”

  “The ladies are correct,” said Ralph. “I must pay for this. Our marriage is a lie if I continue to keep this secret.”

  “But you’ll leave me,” said Charlotte. “You’ll be taken away. How will you manage on your own? You won’t cope with your illness in prison.”

  “The police will consider Ralph’s medical condition,” I said. “They won’t lock him away and not give him any treatment.”

  “No! This can’t happen.” Charlotte’s grip tightened on my hands. “I’ll say I did it. There’s no proof it was Ralph.”

  “Other than my confession,” said Ralph. “I am not going to let you take the blame for this. It’s time I owned up.”

  “We’ll say somebody else did it,” said Charlotte frantically. “What about that crazy girlfriend of Johnny’s? I always thought there was something off about her.”

  “Nobody is going to go to prison for my crime, other than me,” said Ralph.

  Charlotte shook me. “Don’t tell anyone. There must be something you want. Name your price. Tell me what will make you keep this a secret. I’m not letting you leave this room until we’ve all agreed this goes no further.”

  The suit of armor in the corner of Ralph’s bedroom sprung to life. It danced awkwardly by the side of the bed, the metal hands reaching toward Charlotte.

  Charlotte screamed and backed away. “Who’s doing that?”

  I had a good idea who was inside the armor. My knight protector was back, and he didn’t like the way Charlotte was treating me.

  The
armor swayed across the floor before coming to a stop.

  Charlotte’s hand was over her mouth. “It’s possessed. What’s going on?”

  Ralph gaped at the armor. “Extraordinary.”

  An armored hand reached toward Charlotte. She backed away toward the door.

  “Is it a ghost? I always knew this castle was haunted.”

  “Maybe it’s Johnny’s ghost?” I said. “He’s not happy because of what happened.”

  Johnny floated next to Charlotte. He scowled at me and shook his head.

  “Maybe he’ll keep haunting the castle until Ralph confesses to the police,” said Helen.

  Ralph stared in disbelief at the armor. “I’m not sure I believe in ghosts.”

  “Something is moving that armor,” I said. “It’s not any of us.”

  Ralph raised a hand toward the armor.

  “Don’t touch it,” said Charlotte. “It might harm you.”

  The suit of armor made a grab for Charlotte. She screamed again and grabbed hold of the door. “Keep it away from me. I’m sorry. I was wrong to want to hide the truth. Johnny, I’m sorry.”

  Johnny shot to her side and touched her arm. I could see he blamed her for nothing. He had cared about Charlotte.

  The armor collapsed in a heap on the floor.

  I stared at it and saw Jacob’s ghost slide out. He brushed himself off before glaring at Charlotte.

  I nodded to Jacob before turning back to Charlotte. “I wish we could help you. Ralph must confess to this.”

  “But he... I don’t want him to go. What will I do without him?” Charlotte’s fearful gaze shifted to Ralph.

  Ralph pushed his chair over to Charlotte and took hold of her hand. “You will be fine. You’ve been managing on your own for a long time. I have failed you as a husband. What I did was wrong.” His gaze went to the armor on the ground. “It’s time for me to face up to that.”

  Chapter 19

  I stood outside the castle entrance with Helen. Johnny and Jacob were also with us. The police had been called and were inside speaking with Ralph and Charlotte.

  “I hope Jacob didn’t scare Charlotte too badly,” I said to Helen. “She looked like she was about to faint. I even heard her mention ghost armor to the police when they first arrived.”