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If anything, I’m grateful that the silent soldier is sitting behind us, watching over me like an avenging angel. He doesn’t say much, but I’m happy he’s here because there’s something about him I trust. His expression alone regarding the detective tells me he’s even more unhappy about this than I am.
It takes another thirty minutes before we turn off the highway and a further ten minutes before he turns sharply through some old iron gates that are held up by two stone pillars.
As we drive through them, it strikes me there is no light at all and I wonder if there is anything hiding behind the thick tree line.
However, as we turn the corner, I see a majestic house looming up before us, and it makes me shiver.
“Is this really a safe house?” I question because something about it doesn’t feel safe at all and he nods, saying lightly. “It’s a little spooky; I’ll give you that, but the fact it’s so hidden is the reason we’re here at all.”
He screeches to a halt outside the main door, and I say nervously, “Is anybody inside?”
Shaking his head, he unlocks the door and steps outside, peering back in and saying firmly, “No. It’s just us. Actually, it will just be the two of you, because I must return and question Mr. Ortega.”
A painful emotion grips my heart knowing Dom is locked up and I say quickly, “He didn’t do it, detective. I was with him the entire time.”
The detective sighs and says almost as an aside, “You would say that Flora, you see, you are from the same world. You close ranks and back up horror stories. Please forgive me if I don’t believe a word that spills from your pretty little lips.”
The low growl from the silent soldier warns him from saying anything else and as we head through the door, I shiver at the gloomy residence I must call home until Dom is released.
The detective follows and says to Max, “You check one half, I’ll check the other.”
He nods toward me. “The kitchen is through that door. Wait there until we give you the all clear.”
Resigned to my fate, I nod and head into the large kitchen and am surprised when the door locks behind me.
“Hey!” I protest, and the detective’s muffled voice reassures me.
“It’s for your own protection until we’ve checked this place is secure.”
As he walks away, I stare around the kitchen and shiver inside. There is something freaky about this house. I know it’s a ghost house and unlived in but it’s as if there are ghosts all around me warning me to run like hell.
There are shutters covering the windows and when I try them, I realize they are locked tightly and with a sigh, I head to the cupboard to check if there’s anything to make a hot drink because I need something to do before I go crazy.
I’m not sure how long I wait, but the door opens, and the detective enters and smiles. “It’s all clear. I’ll show you to your room. Follow me.”
“Where’s Max?” I’m reluctant to move until I have my guardian angel beside me and the detective smiles. “He’s checking the grounds. He won’t be long.”
I follow him unhappily, wishing I wasn’t here at all, and as I step out into the gloomy hallway, I pray this is over soon.
* * *
As places to stay go,this one is creepy, and I would have rather taken my chances anywhere but here.
As we walk, it occurs to me I haven’t asked about my employer and say with concern. “You said Desdemona is dead. What happened to her?”
“Her body was found inside her car, not far from where Senator Billings died. The cameras revealed she left the Ortega Mansion and was heading back down the hill.”
“But you said the cameras revealed it was Dom. I swear he was with me at the time.”
“Can anyone else confirm that, Miss. Corlietti?”
The detective’s voice is hard and disbelieving and with a sinking feeling, I shake my head.
“No, we were alone, but his staff will tell you he never left the house.”
“Really, Miss. Corlietti. Is that the best you’ve got? Those men would lay down their life for that monster. Their word means nothing.”
I’m taken aback at the vitriol in his tone and as we reach a door, he opens it with a flourish and as I step inside, I see a bedroom that consists of one narrow bed and no other furniture.
