AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can pull Owen in for it. More eyes.”
“I’d appreciate it, Trey, I really would. At the same time, I don’t think we’re going to find the mirror until and unless it wants to be found.”
“Whatever it is, it’s an inanimate object.”
“Is it? I’m starting to wonder. Do you have time for coffee before you go?”
“I absolutely have time for coffee.”
He took the coffee, and half a bagel, while the dogs headed outside, headed back in. Mookie wolfed down his breakfast, and Trey was out the door by nine.
Twenty minutes later, Cleo walked in, dressed, day-at-home makeup and hair in place.
“Did you forget it’s Saturday?” Sonya asked.
“No, and while I usually object to being up before ten on any given Saturday, I started a painting last night. I like where it’s going, so I want to give myself the morning to see how far I get. Trey and his faithful hound?”
“Morning meeting, but he’s coming back, maybe with Owen. He wants to go through the storage areas again.”
“Excellent.” Cleo got herself some coffee. “Not only because I want to do the same, but they can haul that chest down to the studio for me. How’d you sleep?”
“I asked Trey to stop me if I tried to get up at the usual hour. I did, and he did. Plus, he said I talk in my sleep.”
“No, you don’t. I’d have heard you.”
“Well, I do now. And last night I told somebody I was coming. And said Lissy.”
“Lissy for Lisbeth?”
“I think it must be. She’s next in line.”
“What did she die of?” Eyes closed, Cleo held up a hand before Sonya could answer. “Wait, I’ll get it. Spider bites!” She stopped, shuddered. “Why do spiders have to have all those legs?”
“Because spiders?”
“Anything over four is just creepy.”
“As opposed to a house inhabited by numerous ghosts and a dead, vicious witch?”
“Damn right. I’ll take ghosts over spiders all day, every day. Multiple bites. I remember this now.”
“Like a dozen? I think that’s right. I just remember she died from black widow bites.”
“Thirteen bites—they found them when they took off her wedding gown and the rest. The spider or spiders had already scurried off on its/their too many legs. It appeared it had somehow gotten into her dress or the underpinnings. I mean, today they’d have antivenom. She’d have probably gotten sick, but wouldn’t have—probably—died. Although, maybe, with that many. But early twentieth, a lot of people died from poisonous spiders. I looked it up.”
Cleo downed coffee. “She was dancing. It was about time for her to go down and change into her going-away outfit. She never got the chance. The groom was bereft, but I read up some on him, and I think he was most bereft because she was an heiress.”
“Cynical.”
“It’s how I read it.”
Restless, hands in her pockets, Sonya wandered to the window and back. “I should’ve had Trey follow me instead of stop me. I just didn’t want to go through it last night.”
“Son, you’re entitled. I’d have a hard time knowing I was going to watch another woman die on what should’ve been the happiest day of her life. If you want a break, you take it.”
“I guess I did take it. I thought you wanted to explore the village today.”
“That was the plan, but the painting’s got me. Maybe tomorrow. I’m going straight up to see if I’ve got what I think I’ve got. You’re okay?”
