Seth’s brows drew together. “How in the world did Norma Jean end up with the mermaid lady as her chaperone?”
“That took me by surprise as well,” Flick admitted. “From what I gather, Norma Jean struck up a conversation with Miranda while she was in line waiting to purchase train tickets. Miranda’s a real friendly sort, which I think Norma Jean can be as well, so I’m sure they got to gabbing like long-lost friends a minute after saying hello to each other. Once Velma got cold feet, Norma Jean brought Miranda back to prove to Velma she wouldn’t be on her own, saying that Miranda had been tickled to accept a chaperoning position because she’d gotten tired of people jeering at her when she was wearing her fin. Miranda had apparently been thinking about leaving the fair for a long time, so this was an opportunity I’m sure she didn’t want to pass up. After that, I think Norma Jean gave Velma some money to hire a hack to get herself home, then off she went with her newly hired chaperone.”
“I’m not certain this Miranda is exactly qualified to assume chaperoning duties but having her with Norma Jean will save Norma Jean’s reputation, at least to a certain extent,” Annaliese said before she stepped back from Velma and lifted the girl’s chin, revealing eyes that were still shimmering with tears. “You need to tell us where you and Norma Jean were heading.”
“Norma Jean made me swear that I wouldn’t tell anyone,” Velma said as she wiped a runny nose on her sleeve.
Annaliese’s expression went from sympathetic to I-mean-business before Velma could finish wiping her nose. “You’re going to tell me right now, no matter what Norma Jean made you swear to.”
“She’ll be awfully cross with me if I squeal.”
“Too bad. Where is she heading?”
Velma’s lips quivered. “Florida, but I don’t know what part.”
Annaliese blew out a breath right as Louisa, who’d been standing a few feet away from them, took that moment to step forward, drawing Velma’s attention.
“Mrs. McCormick,” Velma all but whispered, her eyes going wide. “You weren’t supposed to be around until classes let out for the day.”
Louisa smiled a far-too-knowing smile. “I decided to come early, although I’m sure you’re upset about that since you were probably counting on having some extra time to practice whatever story Norma Jean told you to tell me before the two of you parted ways.”
“How did you know that?” Velma asked.
“I’m a mother, dear. We know things, which means you should simply confess to everything to save all of us some time.”
Velma’s shoulders sagged more than a touch. “Norma Jean told me to tell everyone she’s off to join the circus.”
“Of course she did, but she’s really off to ...?”
“Find treasure,” Velma admitted before she suddenly snapped her mouth shut, lending the impression she hadn’t meant to let that slip out.
“I was afraid of that,” Louisa murmured.
Seth frowned. “Why would you have been afraid of that?”
Louisa stroked a finger down Pierre’s feathers, earning what seemed to be an affectionate nip from the parrot in return. “Because, if you’ll recall, Norma Jean and I were invited in for tea after the fair debacle and were then privy to what the Pinkertonagent said about the three maps he felt were a credible lead to Ottilie Merriweather’s whereabouts.”
“But Agent Pearson didn’t make those maps available while you and Norma Jean were having tea.”
“He did not, but I might have—and this doesn’t speak well of me—wandered through the library where those maps were spread out on a table before Norma Jean and I departed the castle.” Louisa turned to Annaliese. “That was incredibly rude of me, and I do beg your pardon for overstepping. My only excuse is that I’ve always held a fondness for everything involving pirates and simply couldn’t help myself.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Mrs. McCormick, as I would have been hard-pressed to resist that temptation as well,” Annaliese said.
Louisa smiled. “How very magnanimous of you, dear, but I should have resisted the temptation as I had Norma Jean with me.” She sighed. “My daughter has an adventurous spirit and allowing her to get a quick glimpse of those maps was an enormous mistake on my part, and exactly why I’m to blame for her decision to delve into some treasure hunting on her own.”
A hundred different scenarios filtered through Seth’s mind until he landed on one that seemed the most plausible. “Should I assume there’s a possibility that Norma Jean stole one of the copies I know Drusilla made of the maps?”
“Norma Jean didn’t need to steal a map, but . . .” Louisa frowned. “Could it be possible that you’re still unaware of some of Norma Jean’s more unusual gifts?”
“Mabel mentioned something about Norma Jean’s memory, but are you saying that’s actually true?” Seth asked.
“She has the ability to memorize anything she sees, whether it be a page in a book, a list of green-grocery items, a combination to a safe, or ... a treasure map.”
Seth gave his jaw a few rubs before he lifted a brow Louisa’s way. “Was there a reason why you and Father kept this fromme, as well as Hester and Betsy I assume, since they never said a word to me about Norma Jean having unusual gifts?”
“Of course there was, and that reason is this—it’s difficult enough for a girl to find her place in the world, let alone a girl who has such an unusual ability. Your father and I didn’t want her to be saddled with the reputation of being thought peculiar. That would have significantly affected her social life, which is why we decided to never speak about Norma Jean’s gift to anyone.” She blew out a sigh. “Frankly, though, I always assumed, given that brilliant mind of yours, that you’d eventually figure out that Norma Jean has a brilliant, albeit unusual mind, as well.”
“I’ve always known Norma Jean’s brilliant. But no, I never figured out she had ‘special’ gifts.”
