I notice her mouth tense into a thin line; I guess she doesn’t want me to cross the line between employer and employee. Do I make her uncomfortable? I hope not. Maybe I can put her at ease. I indicate to a chair. “Please, join me.”
With obvious reluctance, Sue pours herself a mug of coffee and sits opposite me. I look at her, she’s in her forties, neat and tidy. I’ll keep the questions general and then try and make her reveal the house secrets. “How long have you worked for my husband?”
“Since the day he moved in.” Sue turns her cup around in her fingertips. “I’d say it must be nine years by now.”
This news is good to know and I nod at her. “So, you were here the night Laura died?” I lean closer, seeing the flash of panic in her eyes. What does she know? I smile. “I know all about what happened but it’s such a mystery. I’d love to find out more about it and you were right here at the time. You don’t mind, do you? Just between you and me?”
“I guess it’s public knowledge now anyway, so no harm done. I was here that night. It was Mr. and Mrs. Hunter’s wedding anniversary. They held a party on their yacht and I believe Mrs. Hunter fell overboard. No one noticed her missing. The weather had gotten bad, a storm I believe. They never found her body. Mr. Hunter was devastated.”
I add sugar and cream to my mug and stir slowly. It’s one indulgence I allow myself. “Has he ever mentioned why he hasn’t emptied their bedroom? I went inside and it looks like she just left.”
“We received instructions not to touch anything.” Sue eyes me with suspicion. “He keeps the door locked. There’s a rumor that she haunts that room. In fact, some of the staff swear the entire house is haunted.” She laughs. “I don’t and I’m here most of the time but that’s what happens in these old houses. People believe they’re filled with spirits.”
My mind is moving at warp speed. “Do you figure that’s why Jack doesn’t go inside?”
“I don’t know.” Sue looks at me over the rim of her cup. I can almost see her shutting down. “You’ll need to ask him.”
I sip the delicious coffee and sigh. “I’ve seen Laura’s portrait and her clothes. What happened to the rest of her belongings? She must have other things?” I frown. “I hate to ask Jack and stir up sad memories. Can you tell me?”
“I guess so. They were moved into the loft when you married.” Sue frowns. “Before that, none of her personal items were touched. Everything remained where she’d left them. Her boots were in the mudroom along with her wet weather gear. Photographs of their wedding, and other personal items, are stored in the loft. I guess Mr. Hunter wanted to keep her alive for the children for as long as possible.”
“The thing is—” A woman in her late forties, with brown hair and kind eyes, wearing a summer dress and sandals, walks into the kitchen. She smiles at me. “—they don’t have any recollection of her at all. They know the woman in red is their mother but they were way too young to remember her.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Jenny, the kids’ nanny. I’ve been here since they were born. Mr. Hunter insists I talk about her to the children. I tell them stories about her all the time, to keep her alive for them, but they aren’t interested.” She shakes my hand and frowns. “Ava is frightened of the portrait. She says the eyes follow her.”
I clear my throat. “How terribly sad.”
“I hope you’ll redecorate.” Sue purses her lips. “Mr. Hunter had the kitchen renovated the week you married. It’s only been finished this past week.”
“He followed my specifications.” The man I assume is Pierre opens the refrigerator and takes out a plate of pastries. He sets them on the table. “There are always fresh pastries, pies and cakes in the refrigerator. Healthy snacks as well. The children have ferocious appetites.”
I smile at him. “That’s good to know. Please, everyone, come and join us. I’d like to get to know all of you.”
“Mr. Hunter would never approve.” George blusters into the room, his face beet red and one strand of gray hair hanging over one eye. “The late Mrs. Hunter had strict rules. She didn’t like any of us being seen when she had guests, unless we were serving food. I’m sure Mr. Hunter approved.”
I turn to look at him. From what I gathered from Jack, Laura was Mother Teresa. “Really? Was she old school, like the mistress of the house?”
“And some.” Jenny giggles.
“You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.” George frowns. “They say they come back and haunt you.”
I lift my chin. “I’m not Laura and I’ll enjoy our chats together.” I shift my gaze to Sue. “Redecorating is a splendid idea. I used to design stage sets when I was in college. It will be fun. I’ll speak to Jack when he gets home. I’d like to take the old master suite but not as it looks now. A complete makeover will remove any ghosts.” I chuckle. “You have my word.”
By the time I finish my coffee, my notebook has pages of staff names, and their shifts. Those who live in the house and those that come by daily or weekly. I stifle a yawn as footsteps echo in the hallway along with muffled chatter. Beside me, George leaps to his feet and hurries out the door. I raise an eyebrow at Sue. “It’s late for visitors. Who might that be?”
“I’d say Mr. Hunter is home.” Sue stands and gathers the cups. “I hear Ruby’s voice. She’ll be calling for a snack.”
I stand and a shiver of excitement runs through me knowing Jack is home. I need his company and hope the honesty he promised me on our wedding day proves to be true. There’s so much I want to ask him but how do I explain how horrified I am at seeing the shrine—and it is a shrine—to Laura? He’s waited seven years before marrying me and he must have moved on—or has he? I need to know. I glance at my watch. It’s five after eleven and everyone is up. I look at the staff. “Do you wait up for him every night?”
“Yes, we do.” Pierre stretches and replaces the plates of pastries in the refrigerator. “He doesn’t work late every night so it’s not so bad.”
I look at the staff. They snap to attention, shutting down any further conversation with me. I look from one to the other. “I’ve enjoyed our chat. I’d like to discover more about Laura’s time here.”
They exchange glances and Sue gives a slight shake of her head. They regret speaking to me and my hope of discovering more information is remote. What are they afraid of?
EIGHT
Trying hard to cool my excitement at seeing my husband, I dash along the hallway and into the sitting room. Jack is handing his briefcase to George and his face lights up at the sight of me. Curled in one corner of the sofa, Ruby has kicked off her shoes and made herself at home. She is a very friendly woman but I need some alone time with Jack. As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to be on our honeymoon for a long time. I go to him and immediately his arms come around me, engulfing me in his warm masculine scent. I lift my lips to his and he kisses me passionately. I’m breathless when he finally lifts his head. His eyes fill with love as he meets my gaze. “I’ve missed you,” I say.
“Me too.” Jack rubs his nose on mine. “I’m also starving. Ruby has sent for coffee and sandwiches.” He stands back and loosens his tie.
