The Glass Mermaid: Seabrook Cozy Mystery Series by Dianne Harman

Author:Dianne Harman [Harman, Dianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2025-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

In the early evening of the following day, Chloe, Fi, and Oliver set off for the old Mariner estate, their anticipation tempered by the mystery of what they might uncover. Chloe had decided to leave Apollo at home, not wanting to risk her loyal dog getting hurt in the potentially dangerous, decaying mansion.

Oliver had mentioned that the estate was still guarded, paid for by a trust fund established by the last Mariner family member, thus ensuring that there would always be protection for any valuables that remained. However, Oliver, being the social chameleon he was, had befriended the guard and knew when he took his evening meal and was absent from the premises. The group had timed their visit to coincide with that window.

The estate sat on the edge of town, its grand silhouette rising against the sky like a relic from another era. Once a beacon of the Mariners' wealth and influence, the sprawling property had fallen into disrepair, its glory long overshadowed by decades of neglect. Vines crept up weathered stone walls, twisting through cracks and around boarded-up windows that gaped like dark, hollow eyes. The slate roof was patchy, and portions of it had caved in, exposing the upper floors to the elements. Even from the road, the house seemed to radiate an air of decay and secrecy.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Fi muttered as they pushed open the rusted wrought-iron gate. The screech of the gate echoed across the overgrown grounds, sending a flock of birds scattering from a nearby tree.

Chloe nodded, her eyes scanning the property with a mix of apprehension and determination. “Last night I read in Lydia’s journal that she spent a lot of time here as a child. If she wanted to hide something, this is the perfect place.”

Oliver walked ahead, his boots crunching over gravel and fallen leaves. His sharp gaze swept over the estate, lingering on the boarded-up windows and weathered stone. “It’s more than just a hideout,” he said, his voice low.

“This place was a hub of secrets, even before Lydia’s time. The Mariners had power, but they also had enemies. If Lydia wanted to hide something important, this would be both the safest, and the riskiest, place to do it.”

As they reached the front steps, Chloe hesitated, her hand brushing over the tarnished brass door handle. The massive oak doors loomed before her, their once-polished surface now dull and scarred. For a moment, she felt the weight of history pressing down on her, as though the house itself were watching her.

“Ready?” Fi asked shakily, her voice breaking through Chloe’s thoughts.

Chloe nodded, pushing the door open with a firm shove. The hinges groaned, and the heavy door creaked inward, revealing the grand foyer.

The air inside was thick with the scent of mildew and dust, the kind of smell that clung to abandoned places. Chloe’s flashlight cut through the gloom, illuminating an elaborate mosaic floor beneath their feet. The design depicted waves crashing under a single star that hung high above the horizon.

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