“It’s no use, lass. It’s a well, but a large one at the bottom. We’ve all been tossed down here for the master’s pleasure.”
“Who are you? I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just an American on vacation in Ireland.” There was subtle male laughter and then another man spoke up.
“Well, that’s your first sin.”
“Wait, she thought she was touring the castle when it happened?” asked Joseph.
“She said she remembered touring it but thought they drove away. I think she had her facts and timelines confused.”
“What did they mean that being an American was her first sin?” asked Rory.
“She didn’t know. She just said there were dozens of other ghosts still trapped down there. I assured her that we would get them out. She did say that they were all injured in some way, at least the older ones.”
“What do you mean, ‘the older ones’?” asked Conor.
“There were some dressed in modern dress. They weren’t injured like you would think. They’d been hit on the head or dropped in the well and died. The others, those dressed in period dress, appeared to have been brutally beaten or tortured.”
“But why?” asked Rory
“I might be able to answer that,” smiled an beautifully attractive older woman. All the men rose, nodding at the newcomer.
“Rose,” blushed Conor. “I’m so glad you decided to join us.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she smiled. “Sean told me that your guests went to Castle O’Shan today. Why? Why would you go to that evil place?”
“We were looking for a missing American woman,” said Julia recognizing in the woman, those skills that she herself possessed. “We found her. And dozens, possibly hundreds more.”
The woman had silvery white hair cut into a fashionable bob at her chin. Her piercing blue eyes stared at Julia, steppingcloser, slowly one step at a time. She was much shorter than Julia, but her perfume was lovely, carrying with it a scent of elegance and status.
“You’re like me,” she whispered.
“Yes. I am,” said Julia.
“Wait. You see ghosts?” asked Conor. The woman lowered her head and nodded.
“I’ll leave now, Conor Laughlin. I still thank you for the invitation.” She turned to leave and Conor grabbed her hand.
“No. Wait. Why would you leave? I asked you here and I wish you to stay.” Sean smiled at the older woman giving a nod.
“You don’t mind. I mean, about me?” she asked.
“Why would I mind that? It’s an amazing gift and I’ve been fortunate to be around others who have the gift as well.” She let out a long slow breath and nodded.
“At times it doesn’t feel as though it’s a gift. Especially on an island with thousands of years of violence and death,” she frowned.
“I live on a property hundreds of years old with new ghosts peeking out all the time,” smiled Julia. “Believe me, you’re welcome here.” Rose turned to Conor.
“Saoirse says to tell you thank you. Finnegan and she are quite happy now.” Julia laughed, smiling at Conor.
“Aye,” nodded Conor. “I brought the ghosty home so he could be with his true love.”
“Conor Laughlin, you’ve surprised me twice today,” she grinned. “I like that.”
“How about we eat?” smiled Sean. “I feel as though you might have some information that could help us, Rose.” She nodded at the younger man.
“Or kill you.”
CHAPTER NINE
