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“That confirms who the ‘J’ is,” Ronan said. The photograph of Delilah from the diary had been addressed to J.

“From what I understand, she and John were lovers. The relationship soured and she tried to kill him, so he shot her. She died a few days later. Her remains were ordered to be brought back to his plantation. Unfortunately for him, my grandfather was killed during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. They were buried side by side. A lot of the story was lost over time, but just before my father died last year, he gave me a gold key and told me it was for a trunk in our attic. When he died, I was supposed to open the trunk and take out what was inside. He said it would be my duty to safeguard the item until I was on my deathbed and then pass it to my son.”

Ten and Ronan exchanged a quiet look. “The item was the Lucite box with the board and diary inside.”

“Yes. I didn’t know any of the history of the items or why it was so crucial that I keep them under lock and key, but I did what my father asked of me. Over the last few months I was getting strange feelings from the box. I didn’t like having it in my house. To be honest, I wanted to throw it away and be done with it, but decided instead to bring the box here to Salem. If I could get the curator of the Witch Board Museum to take the board, then my family would be absolved of the responsibility of caring for it.” Daniels looked back and forth between Ronan and Ten. “Do you really believe this ghost attacked me?”

“We do,” Ten agreed. “But you’re mistaken about some of the facts of the situation.”

“What facts?”

“First of all, Delilah was kidnapped by John Joseph Daniels. She was kept as his prisoner and was repeatedly raped by him. He knew her psychic gifts were real and like you said, wanted to use them to help the south win the war. On the day the Battle of Gettysburg started, he murdered her in cold blood. I’m not sure of the reason why, but if I had to guess, I’d say that Delilah refused to help him. I didn’t know the part of the story about her body being interred on your family’s land. I’m going to need that address and written permission to have her exhumed.”

“What?” Daniels asked. “You want to dig her up?”

“I have a feeling part of Delilah’s anger stems from her burial.”

“Who sounds crazy now?” Daniels scoffed.

“I’d watch myself if I were you,” Ten cautioned. “Delilah might not be done with you yet.”

Daniels paled and wrapped his arms around himself.

“Did Delilah say anything while she was attacking you?”

“I heard mumbo jumbo nonsensical words. I have no idea what she was saying, but I can tell you that the words were spoken with rage.”

“I assume she was speaking some sort of spell. The cops at the hotel told us that no one heard your attack. Not even the glass shattering.”

“How did Delilah become imprisoned in the board?” Ten asked.

“I don’t know how and I don’t know when. My father was very sick at the end. To be honest, I don’t think he was gonna tell me about it at all, but something changed his mind.”

“Or maybe someone,” Ten suggested.

“Maybe.” Daniels shrugged. “How are you going to stop this woman from attacking me again?”

“I think that’s up to you, Mr. Daniels.”

“Up to me? How the hell do you expect me to do that? She kicked my ass the first time and I have no doubt she can do it again, only maybe this time instead of glass shattering, it flies straight at me.”

Ten shot him a look of disbelief. “My son is in kindergarten and this week they learned about saying sorry when they’d hurt someone else. Maybe try that with Delilah.”

“What, now?” Daniels asked.

It was Ten’s turn to shrug. “You’re the one who’s afraid of Delilah coming back and hurting you again.”

“Fine.” Daniels sighed and shook his head, as if to say he couldn’t believe he was about to do what Ten was asking. “I’m sorry my family hurt you, Delilah. Now can you please go away?”

Ronan snorted. “Is that the best you can do? This woman was kidnapped and repeatedly assaulted by your ancestor, then her body was buried on his land, keeping her under his thumb for eternity and then her spirit was imprisoned in the board. I think that kind of abuse deserves an apology that’s a bit more sincere and heartfelt.”

Daniels dropped his head to his chest. “I’m sorry, Delilah. I’m sorry that my great-grandfather hurt you and took you from your family. I don’t know who put you in the board, but I’m sorry you suffered through years of being kept in a locked trunk in my attic. I can’t undo the damage done to you, but I’m hoping that you’ll accept my apology as a way to start making things right. I’ll do what Tennyson asked and sign over consent to have your remains removed from our family land and will pay to have your remains sent wherever you choose. Just please, please, don’t hurt me again.”

“Very nice, Mr. Daniels,” Ten said.

Ronan was impressed with the apology, even if he felt none of it was sincere. He pulled out his wallet and handed Daniels his card. “Call me when you get back home and we’ll arrange for Delilah’s exhumation.”

“Okay,” Daniels agreed with a nod. “Is there anything you can do about my situation here?”