“Old library?” Quinn’s interest piqued, but not enough to stop her from devouring the entire slice of pizza.
“Aye, it’s in the east wing. Most of the books were covered with smoke from the fire, but none went up in flames.”
Quinn grabbed a napkin and gestured to the pizza. “Hide that. I don’t want to share.”
Mavis chuckled as Quinn left the kitchen and headed toward the east wing. She took her time peeking into the rooms, unsure which was the library. A smoky smell lingered in the air as she pushed open some double doors. Black spines covered the bookshelves, and instantly she spotted the one she was looking for. Clarence stood next to the bookshelf, hisarms folded over his ghostly body. “Donae do this.”
“Hey, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
“She gave my ancestors the emerald to have a better life, but it was cursed and bad things started happening so we locked it away. We couldnae sell it and have a clear conscious that the next owners wouldnae come to the same fate. You’ve returned the stone to the rightful heirs. You’ve done enough.”
“I’m this close to figuring this out. I have to help Collin. Like your family not giving the stone away, because it was the right thing to do, so is this.”
Clarence vanished out of sight as Quinn grabbed the book to pull it free. Only when she did, she heard a click. The book popped back into place, and the bookshelf opened back into the wall. “A secret passageway?”
Lifting her skirt, she stepped inside, and the bookshelf shut behind her, encasing her in darkness. Her heart raced as she felt along the wall for a lever or anything to reopen the door. She found nothing. She inhaled a deep breath of salty air and had taken a step farther inside when her foot kicked against something on the floor. She reached down, hoping it wasn’t a dead body. Her handsfelt the object and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. A flashlight.
“They didn’t have these back in the day. Someone’s been in here since this little baby was invented.”
She flicked the switch, illuminating the stone passageway with light.
“Hello,” she hollered. Her voice echoed as it bounced off the walls. A small breeze touched her cheek, relieving her fear that there was no ventilation. She slowly walked farther down the corridor as her heart hammered. Ghosts never scared her…but this place sent a shiver down her spine and left goosebumps on her arms.
Gwinnie from the north tower appeared. “I used this cave to help the poor.”
Quinn stepped toward the opening and glanced down. It was easily ten feet to the rocks below. “I don’t see how, unless you could fly.”
“I sent down trinkets in the linens. Stuff that wouldn’t be missed and that didn’t mean anything to the Menzies but could change the lives of those in need.”
“You were like a Robin Hood, but stealing from your own family,” Quinn guessed and glanced around at the stuff in the tunnel. The items were newer, not from the century when Gwinnie lived. These were expensive items from today’s day and time. Pieces of crystal, anexpensive looking clock, and other odds and ends. “Looks like someone is carrying on your tradition.”
Gwinnie shook her head. “Nay, this is an act of greed.”
She vanished before Quinn could press her for a name. It didn’t matter. She’d find out soon enough.
Chapter Fifteen
Collin’s stomachsank as he read the appraiser’s report. The word “fake” stared back, mocking him. Had Quinn known the emerald wasn’t real? “This cannae be.”
“It is, Collin. I had him check the stone twice.”
“I knew she was a fraud,” Margarete whispered. “I bet she kept the real one. Collin, I’d never be that devious.”
“Yes, you would.” Collin shook her hold off his arm and searched the dance floor for Quinn. Instead, he spotted Ian with one of Collin’s maid’s in his arms. Collin stomped across the room. “Where is she?”
Ian dipped Abigail and brought her back up. Abigail giggled before answering. “Mavis had a surprise for her in the kitchen.”
Collin threw open the kitchen doors, and the impact made the doors bounce off the stone wall. Mavis was lying in the middle of the kitchen floor, clutching her arm. “Oh God, no.”
He ran out into the hall and grabbed someone standing close by. “Get Ian, and get a doctor, NOW!”
He returned to Mavis and slid down to his knees. “Mavis, what happened?”
“I fell.”
Collin glanced past her to all of the red sauce and cheese covering the floor.
“Hang on, luv. The doctor is coming.”
