The Haunting of Blackwater by Marcia Armandi

Author:Marcia Armandi
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648984129
Publisher: City Owl Press

It was a girl. Lina wondered if she was chasing a mirage. Then, it occurred to her that Tacie could be short for Stacie, which was also a boy’s name. Still, it was a far-fetched idea. The name Stacie wasn’t popular, especially as a given name, and, worse yet, she couldn’t make out the dates. Just like with everything else she had unearthed, though possible, it wasn’t certain.

Feeling like screaming with exasperation, Lina made her way back to Blackwater and lingered on the grounds. Even when the cold breeze pecked at her skin, she couldn’t bring herself to go inside. She was restless, her thoughts running like wildfire. Bartholomew had bought the train for someone. Up to this point, she had directly correlated the toy with the young ghost. What if it had nothing to do with him? But then again, it made sense that it was his.

Lina sat on a bench and, from her pocket, extracted the notepaper and pencil she had taken to town. She constructed a detailed list of the facts, going from her father’s telephone conversation, to his death, to Bartholomew’s gambling problems and involvement with Bray, to the ghosts inhabiting the manor. The inkling that all of it was somehow connected grew stronger. She studied the list for the longest while but, in the end, was no closer to solving her conundrum.

With a heavy feeling of defeat, Lina left the bench and strolled alongside the northwest edge of the house. Her body was as cold as she felt inside. The uncertainty of the unknown, coupled with Mateo’s absence, had turned her world hostile and frigid. What wouldn’t she give to see him, even if for a few minutes? No matter how terrible she had felt, his zeal for life had always cheered her up—always brightened her path. From Eleonor, she’d learned that Mateo was at High Point Boarding School in the heart of London. The school was considered one of England’s best. She’d also learned that the school wouldn’t allow anyone to visit the boy without Bartholomew’s written consent.

Mr. Krammer came into view, laboriously removing several shrubs that had expired after a long life.

“Morning, miss.” The gardener rested his hands on the handle of the shovel.

“Mr. Krammer, how are you?”

“I’ll be better once these little beasts are removed and I can get back to it in the spring, when my hands aren’t threatening to fall off.” The gardener rubbed his gloved hands together to heat them.

“What will you plant here?”

“Some type of groundcover that doesn’t grow too high, you know.” He motioned with his head to the house. “We don’t need any more shade.”

“Indeed.” On impulse, Lina asked, “Do you remember anyone by the name of Tacie or Stacie, or maybe TJ who might have lived here?”

“Tacie?”

“Or Stacie.”

“Hmm…” The groundskeeper paused pensively. “It’s been years, and I could be mistaken, but…”

“What?” Lina was all ears.

“There was a youth who came to the house often. Dollie bought fresh eggs from him. I think his name was Stacie.

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