“Yeah. Lyric was hoping some awesome stories were handed down through the generations.”
“Anh Yang, that’s the concierge, had so much more than stories. She had Wallace’s journals and photos which have never been shared with the public before, and she also had a humidor just like the one on our mantle containing the other half of Tony Reid’s ashes.”
“Tony Reid? Was that Anthony’s alias in San Francisco?” I asked.
Maegan nodded. “He made it there, Elijah.”
“How? I thought he was locked in the attic or sent to an asylum.”
“The story just keeps getting better. You won’t believe what Lyric uncovered.” She vibrated with joy which was exactly what I needed.
“I won’t know until you tell me.”
Maegan giggled happily then told me a story that I expected to appear in one of the historical romance books she loved so much. Anthony Bliss’s mother came for a visit and discovered her son was having an affair with a man. Maybe she uncovered his plans to leave his family. She drugged him and locked him up in the attic with the intention of having him sent to an asylum. Maegan’s eyes lost their happiness and humor when she got to that part. “Elijah, I will never abandon our children no matter what they do or who they love. I promise you.”
“I know, Freckles.” I couldn’t wait to see her become a mother.
“Melanie Bliss sent a wire to San Francisco to let Wallace know what was happening. She turned the tables on Anthony’s mother by slipping the same drug in her tea then helped Anthony escape with Wallace. She reported his disappearance to the police, and Anthony’s mother returned to New York.”
“Melanie Bliss helped her husband leave her to be with another man?”
“I guess it was an arranged marriage or at least one of convenience. Maybe Anthony and Melanie tried to make it work, but they were nothing more than friends. I wonder how hard it was for Anthony to leave his children behind?” she asked wistfully.
“How did the humidor with half of the ashes get here?”
“Wallace was convinced Anthony’s spirit remained after he died because he was restless and would rather be in his beloved Bliss House. There was also speculation that he felt guilty for being the reason Anthony left his children.”
“The children,” I said. “There are probably Bliss heirs out there somewhere.”
“Lyric’s network will attempt to find them and see if they’d like to participate in the show.”
“There will definitely be a show?” I asked
“As long as they can obtain permission from The Golden Gate Bridge Inn management firm to film. The network hopes to make this a big event with us taking our humidor to San Francisco to join the two spirits.”
“Two spirits? You mean Anthony’s ghost has a split personality?” I asked.
“Oh! In all my excitement, I forgot to tell you what else Lyric learned. Wallace Bennington’s ghost lives in that hotel. Lyric thinks he can’t rest until he knows Anthony is at peace.”
“Did you say us?”
“Yes, we’re going to San Fran to say goodbye to Anthony and wish him a peaceful journey to the afterlife with the man he loves. If the network can’t get permission, then we’ll still go and do it privately without the cameras running.”
“What happens if the networks do get the approval?”
“Lyric refilms everything he has so far with his crew members.”
“So, our home will be invaded by network people,” I said, sounding as thrilled as I felt.
“Lyric said it wouldn’t take long. Just a day or two of filming. There’s no guarantee that Anthony will cooperate, so he might get stuck using the footage and recordings he already has.”
“I’m not upset with that option,” I admitted.
“Me either, but I’m willing to play nice and put up with a little bit of disruption to give Anthony the peace he deserves.”
“I will do anything to see you happy, but I have one condition.”
“Name it,” she replied with a raised brow.
