A Deadly Lesson (Storage Ghost Murders Book 5) Page 11

  Grace nodded. “She’s giving you a hug. Whose decision was it to put you in here?”

  Dorothy’s eyes narrowed, her smile died. “It was that evil snake, Carlos. I heard him talking to Derek about me, heard him convincing him and Julianne to put me in here. I disliked him the second I saw him. I saw the way he treated Julianne, and I saw the way he looked at Abbie. Goodness knows why Julianne brought him back from Spain, she usually brings perfume back.”

  Abbie giggled and pressed her head against her mum’s. Dorothy suddenly smiled and said, “That feels nice. Anyway, we’ll talk about that evil cockroach in a minute. I spent years looking for you. When my family put me in here I decided to wait for you, I knew you’d turn up. I feel like I’ve been in a trance waiting for you. Poor Derek, I can’t be much company for him. By the way, did you recognise the song I was humming? I was singing it for you.”

  Grace shook her head. Dorothy smiled and then began to hum. Grace felt a shiver start at the top of her head and trickle slowly down her body.

  Dorothy was humming - ‘Amazing Grace’.

  Tears escaped from Grace’s eyes. “I can’t believe it, it’s so sad. You’ve been waiting for me for so long. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”

  Dorothy patted her hand. “It’s okay. You weren’t ready before. The psychic that I spoke to explained everything to me, he said you needed a few years to develop your skill. He told me about what would happen with your parents. I’m so sorry to hear about that, Grace, it’s a terrible thing for you to go through.”

  Fresh tears flowed down Grace’s cheeks. “Thank you, and I’m sorry about Abbie.”

  Dorothy sat back in her chair, released Grace’s hands, and gave her a big smile. “It’s in the past, we can’t do anything about that now, but we can catch the murderer. Let’s get down to business. Tell me everything you know about my Abbie and the night she was murdered, don’t leave anything out. Then I’ll tell you what I know.” She paused and looked to the side where Abbie was. “And I’ll tell you Abbie’s secret.”

  Chapter 30

  It was a relief to talk to someone about Abbie, someone who knew she could see ghosts. Grace didn’t leave anything out, including Last Hope Repossessions.

  Dorothy listened intently and asked the occasional question.

  Derek returned at one point with a tray full of tea things. Dorothy waved him away, “Give us a bit longer, we’ve nearly done. Then you and I need to talk.”

  Derek gave her a fond look, nodded his head and ambled away.

  Grace said, “He looks happier.”

  Dorothy sighed. “It’s probably because I’m acting my normal self again. I should have tried harder to make him understand what I was feeling. But that damned Carlos! Always getting in our way, always taking Derek to one side for a quiet word. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s involved in a scam. Oh! Those poor people that he’s taken in! He needs to be stopped. I know you think Julianne’s involved but I’m not sure she knows the full extent of what’s going on. And as for Brooke McIntosh!” Dorothy took a deep breath and looked out of the window as if to control herself. When she looked back at Grace she was startled to see the hate in Dorothy’s eyes. “I rue the day that my Abbie met that evil girl. I’m convinced that some people are born evil and nothing you can do can change them. That Brooke told Abbie all sorts of lies, saying that Derek and I didn’t want her, that we preferred Julianne because she was prettier. I told Abbie over and over again how much we loved her, but she never seemed to believe me. I tried to make Brooke welcome at our house, but I could see the greed and jealousy in her eyes. She often borrowed Abbie’s things and never returned them. As soon as Abbie wanted driving lessons, Brooke did too!”

  “Please don’t get yourself in a state,” Grace said. “I know what kind of a person Brooke is, and Abbie does too now. How long do you think Brooke and Carlos have been together? Do you think Julianne knows?”

  Dorothy made a clicking sound with her tongue. “It wouldn’t surprise me if that scheming madam had been after Carlos since the minute she met him. And she’s got something that’s attractive to Carlos – money, lots of money.” She sighed. “Julianne most likely has her suspicions. She needs to get away from Carlos, but she’s in love with him, she’s blind to common sense. I’ll have to speak to Derek, he has to do something!”

  “Can you tell me about Ethan?” Grace asked.

  The look of frustration was replaced with delight. “Lovely boy! So polite, so caring. He adored Abbie, it was plain to see. Brooke hated him, she hated anyone who took Abbie away from her, but she had a special hate for Ethan. Whenever she thought Abbie wasn’t looking she’d bat those ridiculous eyelashes at him. Bless him, he always politely turned her down. Abbie was a different person when she was around Ethan.” She shot a look to where Abbie was. “If you’re still there, young lady, I don’t approve of the language you used when you were with Brooke. You didn’t have to impress her, to get her to like you more.”

  “Sorry, Mum,” Abbie mumbled.

  Dorothy continued, “We encouraged Ethan to come round to our house more. He even took Abbie out on driving lessons when Derek didn’t have the time. Derek was happy to let Ethan borrow his car. In fact, Ethan borrowed it on the night of Abbie’s party. He’d forgotten her present and was so upset that Derek insisted he use his car to nip home and get it.”

  A cold feeling went through Grace. She said, “What time was that?”

  Dorothy thought for a moment. “It wasn’t long before Abbie left. Everyone seemed to be leaving for one reason and another. Carlos left, and then shortly afterwards, Brooke left. They both had a sneaky look on their faces. I saw them, I thought they’re probably meeting up somewhere for a bit of slap and tickle.”

  Grace would have smiled at the old-fashioned phrase if she wasn’t having a dreadful thought. She said, “I told you that I looked at the CCTV footage on the night of the party. I saw you go to the door. You paused, and then you screamed. What did you see?”

  Dorothy deflated and looked down at her hands. She looked back up and said, “I saw Abbie running out into the road. I was about to shout out, ‘Stop! There’s a car coming!’ I could hear a car, you see, it sounded like it was driving fast. I saw Abbie look towards the car, she froze. The car slowed down, it was obvious that the driver had seen her. Relief washed through me and I thought, that was a close shave. Abbie looked at the driver, she smiled and raised her hand in greeting. Then ...” Dorothy gulped and looked away. Grace placed her hand on top of hers. Dorothy gave her a grateful smile. “You know what happened next, you saw it in that vision thing. But to watch it from the door was horrifying. The car revved up and then shot forward, Abbie was flung up like a rag doll. I heard the sickening noise as she landed on the road. That dreadful car sped away.”

  “Did you recognise the car?”

  A tear ran down Dorothy’s cheek. “No, I wish I had. I’ve replayed the event over and over in my mind. It was dark and I was focused on Abbie. All I know is that it was a smaller car, not one of those big estate cars, or those huge four wheeler ones. But lots of people have those. I know Brooke and Julianne do, and Derek has one but he was at the bar getting a drink when Abbie died. His car was ... oh! Ethan! Ethan borrowed his car!”

  That was the thought that was troubling Grace. She said, “I can understand why Carlos or Brooke might want to kill Abbie, she could have stumbled upon their various secrets, but why would Ethan want to kill her?”

  Dorothy gave her a sad smile. “It must be because of Abbie’s secret, but I really don’t think Ethan is that kind of person. I’m not sure he even knew her secret. No! I refuse to believe it, he wouldn’t kill her!”

  Grace looked over at Abbie. What was she hiding?

  Dorothy’s breath caught and her hands flew to her chest. “Forgive me, Grace, I’m not very strong. This has been a lot for my heart to take in. I need to speak to Derek urgently. Will you get him, please? And promise me that you’ll find Ab
bie’s killer. Promise!”

  Grace wanted to ask what Abbie’s secret was but Dorothy had turned a peculiar colour. Grace stood up and said, “I absolutely promise that I’ll find her killer. Abbie is saying goodbye, and she’s saying that she doesn’t want you to be angry with her. She says she feels like she let you down, that you’ll think she’s an awful person.”

  Dorothy wheezed. “Never! I love that girl with all my heart. Always have, and always will.” Another wheeze. “Please get Derek! Quick!”

  “I will,” Grace turned away, panicked at Dorothy’s changed state.

  “One more thing,” Dorothy forced out. “Thank you for finding me, thank you for being so amazing, Grace.” She grimaced as she tried to smile.

  Tears flowed down Grace’s cheeks. She called out for a nurse. Derek must have heard her because he came racing into the room. Grace pointed over to where Dorothy was. Abbie whimpered, “Grace, what’s happening? I don’t like it, I want to go.”

  Grace walked swiftly through the room and towards the exit. She faltered as she saw the old woman and soldier that she’d seen earlier as they’d first come into the building. The old woman’s eyes were closed. A younger version of the woman smiled down at her former self, she was now holding the hand of the soldier ghost. The soldier put his arm around the now young woman and led her away towards a bright light.

  Abbie saw what had happened. Her hand shook as she pointed at the happy couple. “That’s what the white line means, doesn’t it? It means they’re about to die! Grace! I want to get out of here!”

  Grace broke into a sprint and raced through the doors. She didn’t want to be here any more either. She fumbled with her car keys and shoved them in the lock. She threw herself into the driver’s seat, Abbie flew in and sat at her side, silently crying. Grace said, “Abbie, are you okay? That must have been awful for you.”

  Abbie nodded and mumbled, “Mum, poor Mum.”

  “I know. We’ll wait for your dad and see what’s going on. We’ll see what your mum says to him.”

  Abbie wiped her tears away. “Do you think Ethan killed me?”

  “I don’t know. Your mum mentioned your secret. Abbie, what was she talking about?”

  Abbie looked down at her top. “I don’t know.” She looked at Grace. “Honestly! I don’t know! But if I had a secret, how can it be so bad that someone would want to kill me?”

  Grace considered her for a moment. Abbie was lying and Grace was beginning to suspect that Abbie knew what her secret was. Furthermore, she had a suspicion that Pearl knew too. This wasn’t the time and place to confront Abbie. Grace looked towards the home. “Oh, look, your dad is coming back out. Abbie, he’s smiling.”

  Abbie floated to the back seat. Derek got in the car and gave Grace a smile. He said, “Blooming heck! That was a close one, thank goodness the nurses were there. They sorted her breathing out. Sorry for making you wait, Dorothy had some things to tell me, she was just like her bossy old self! It was wonderful to see her like that!”

  “I’m relieved she’s okay,” Grace said with feeling.

  Derek shook his head, still smiling. He gave Grace a direct look and said, “Now then, Dorothy says I’ve got to help you with our Abbie’s murder, on account of you seeing ghosts.”

  Chapter 31

  Grace was taken aback at Derek’s cheerfulness. He laughed and said, “Don’t be so surprised, I’m quite open-minded.” His smile dropped slightly. “Why didn’t I listen to Dorothy before? I did believe the things she’d been told by the psychics, why didn’t I help her?”

  “Dorothy said that Carlos convinced you otherwise,” Grace said.

  Derek shook his head sadly. “What an idiot I’ve been. Well! Enough of that! Dorothy seems like her old self again, she had a few choice words to say about Carlos. She said I’m to listen to you, and to help in any way that I can. Shall we go back to your lovely shop and talk? Or would you prefer to go back to my house?”

  Grace cast a glance at Abbie through the mirror. Abbie said, “I want to go home.”

  Derek caught Grace’s look. He put his hand near his mouth and whispered, “Is Abbie here? In the car?”

  Grace nodded. “She is, and she said you don’t have to whisper.”

  Derek chuckled. “What a peculiar day I’m having! I’m so happy that my Dorothy is getting better.”

  Derek didn’t catch the look that Grace shared with Abbie.

  Over tea and a cheese sandwich in Derek’s kitchen, Grace told Derek everything she knew, apart from Abbie’s secret. She had a feeling that Derek didn’t need to know that yet. She apologised for misleading him over the book.

  Derek waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about that! You’re like some sort of detective, you have to undertake your enquiries in a way that doesn’t arouse suspicion.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier. What do you think we should do now?”

  Derek sighed. “Well, it looks like Brooke and Carlos are the prime suspects. Poor Julianne. We used to work at the bank together. I remember when Carlos arrived in her life. Her confidence just drained away. I caught her a few times looking at people’s mortgage details when she shouldn’t have been. Carlos must have asked her to do that. It seems that Brooke was better at getting the details. I don’t believe that Julianne knows fully what’s going on.”

  “What don’t I know?”

  Julianne stood at the kitchen door, thankfully without Carlos.

  Derek stood up and opened his arms. “Julianne! Whatever’s the matter? Come here.”

  Julianne brushed the tears away that were trickling down her cheeks. “Oh, Dad, I’ve been such a fool! Carlos ...” She burst into fresh tears and ran into Derek’s arms. He patted her back. In a muffled voice Julianne said, “He’s left me! He said he didn’t need me any more! He said he’s got someone better! After all I’ve done for him.”

  Abbie flew to her sister’s side and put her hand on her back. “You’re better off without that slimeball. I bet I know who he’s with now.”

  Derek looked over Grace’s shoulder and gave her a small smile. Grace stood up and said, “I’ll leave you to it.”

  Derek released Julianne and told her to sit in the living room. He walked Grace out of the house and towards her car. He said, “I’ll tell Julianne all about what’s happened this afternoon, I’m not sure she’ll believe the part about you seeing ghosts. I can’t let Carlos and Brooke get away with this. I’ve got some contacts at the bank who could do some investigating for me. Would you mind giving me the details of that Kevin Thompson chap? I could speak to him too.”

  Grace wrote down Kevin’s details. “Will you let me know how you get on?”

  “Of course. Dorothy said my priority was to look after Julianne. Will you let me know how you get on? What’s your next step?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” Grace lied. She knew the next step was to find out Abbie’s secret but she couldn’t tell Derek that. “I’ll phone you as soon as I have more information.”

  Derek grinned at her and wagged his grey eyebrows. “We’re like undercover spies! I haven’t felt this happy for years! Oh! Blooming heck! I nearly forgot. Dorothy said I have to take that book from you, the driving book that belonged to Abbie.”

  “Oh,” Grace looked down at her handbag. If she handed the book over that meant Abbie would go with it. Perhaps that’s what Abbie needed to do now. Grace reached into her bag, took the book and handed it to Derek.

  He took it and winked at her. “Speak to you soon, partner!” With a spring in his step he walked back to his house.

  Grace was glad to see him so happy. He had a purpose for the first time in years. She wasn’t going to burst his bubble of happiness.

  Grace drove away from Derek’s house and headed towards the shop. Out of habit she glanced at the back seat through the mirror. No Abbie looked back at her. Grace was surprised at how lonely she felt. Never mind! She could speak to Pearl in peace now.

  A short time later
Grace walked into the shop and called out Pearl’s name. A grunting noise came from the kitchen.

  Frankie? Was he hurt?

  Grace raced into the kitchen. She came to a halt at the scene that met her eyes.

  Pearl was holding on to the kitchen table with one hand, her other was wrapped around her stomach. The old woman’s face was creased in pain. She bent over and let out a blood-curdling wail.

  Grace moved to Pearl’s side. “Pearl! What is it? What’s wrong? How can I help?”

  Pearl turned a pain-filled face towards her, and through gritted teeth said, “I’m sorry, I can’t hold it in much longer. She has to have it back. Stand back, Grace, here it comes!”

  Grace moved backwards. Her eyes widened as Pearl’s back arched and a blue beam of light shot out from her stomach. It was like something from a science fiction film. The beam wavered in mid-air and then aimed towards the other ghost who had appeared in the kitchen.

  Chapter 32

  The blue light bathed Abbie from head to toe. Grace watched as the young girl seemed to absorb all the light.

  Grace turned to Pearl. “What’s going on? Is she all right?”

  Pearl nodded and said, “She’s nearly done now. Look, the light’s all gone now, it’s inside her.”

  Abbie’s face looked different, she looked calmer and a bit older. She smiled at Grace and Pearl and said, “Thank you, Pearl, I don’t know how you did that, but thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, lass, but don’t ever ask me to do that again! You’re stronger now, you can cope.”

  Grace threw her arms up. “Would someone like to tell me what’s going on?”

  Pearl tutted and folded her arms. “Keep your hair on. What do you think has been going on?”

  Grace matched Pearl’s stance by folding her arms. “I think that when you first met Abbie you absorbed all the pain she was feeling, mental and physical. It hurt you so you went away to where ever you go. I think you’ve returned now so that you can give Abbie something back.”