Trouble Restored by Carolyn Haines

Author:Carolyn Haines [Haines, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Good Fortune Farm Refuge

* * *

As soon as Odell was gone, Harley closed the door to the library and rounded on Tommie. “Do you think it was smart to just let her snoop around Loftus Manor? The very fact that she wanted to go alone is suspicious.”

“I know, but she isn’t alone.”

“The ghost is with her?” Harley was incredulous.

“No, the cat, which is almost equally unbelievable, but I’m beginning to comprehend that Trouble is everything Tammy said he was.” She’d watched the cat slip out the door undetected by Odell.

“And we’re just going to wait here until she’s finished poking through all of Samuel’s things, and possibly yours too?” Harley was finding it difficult to believe Tommie’s foolhardiness. He’d grown to view her as measured and thoughtful.

Tommie held up a key. “I locked my door, but I’m curious if she’ll explore Nina’s room.”

“Why would she be interested in Nina’s old room?”

“It’s the source of the ghost activity. I know I sound a little crazy,” she held up a hand, “but my brain has been in a whirl ever since I found the perfume-soaked handkerchief.” She pulled it from the sleeve of her shirt. “If Odell is part of this conspiracy to scare me out of Loftus Manor, it will be interesting to see what areas of the house interest her.”

“You think Odell is the ghost?” Harley asked, his voice a harsh whisper.

“Maybe. Or maybe someone is setting her up,” Tommie said.

“You’re absolutely right,” Harley said. “So you’re hoping Odell will do what?”

“Trouble will be able to show us whatever Odell shows an interest in,” Tommie said. “Then we’ll know whether she’s part of the intruder business or not.”

Harley picked up his glass and Tommie’s and mixed two fresh drinks. “So we wait here?” he said as he handed her a glass.

“No, I think it’s time we go looking for Odell,” Tommie said. “I’ll bet we find her in Samuel’s study.”

Harley knew she was right. They left the library, feet silent on the thick Turkish carpets that adorned the first floor of the manor. The parlors were dark and empty, and they passed several closed doors. Harley trusted Tommie’s hunch that Odell had gone into Samuel’s little study. He wondered if Odell knew a lot more about Samuel and Loftus Manor than she’d let on and was possibly hunting for something specific.

When they arrived at the little study, the door was closed. Tommie turned the knob gently.

The door opened on well-oiled hinges, and Harley stepped ahead of Tommie into the room. He didn’t mind being second fiddle most of the time, but he had to make sure she was safe. He quickly scanned the room and found Odell at the cold fireplace, pushing and tugging at the trim, as if she, too, were looking for some kind of secret passage or hiding place. Trouble sat at her feet, watching every move she made.

Harley glanced at Tommie, who nodded. There was a tiny glint in her eyes. “Do you need some help, Odell?”

Odell literally jumped into the air and let out a little shriek.

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