In Like Flynn (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #4)

“Will no spirits choose to visit us tonight?” Miss Ella persisted.

“We shall wait and see,” said the voice. “Patience.”

We waited. Then five loud raps made everyone jump.

“Who is here?” Miss Ella asked.

Cousin Clara glanced across the room and gave a shriek. “Look, there on the table!”

A disembodied hand was moving across a side table, glowing with a light of its own. Then suddenly it vanished.

“Who are you?” Miss Ella asked, her voice now sharp and taut with fear.

“Peace. He is my messenger,” said Chief Ojuweca. “He escorts the spirits you seek. Wait and see.”

Then there came a tiny voice, no more than a whisper. “Mommy?”

Theresa jumped to her feet. “Brendan!” she gasped, shaking her hand clear of mine. “It’s Brendan. Where are you, my love? Speak to me.”

“Sit down, please,” Miss Ella admonished.

“But I must speak to him. Tell him I'm here if he doesn't know. Brendan, my love, speak to me.” She pushed her way out of the circle. A chair clattered over. Then silence.

“It’s no good,” Miss Emily said. “You've driven them away. Theywon't come back tonight. The spirits are sometimes very shy, you know. As I said earlier, I sensed that the atmosphere wasn't quite right this evening. The spirits do not like it if we try to make a spectacle of them or use them for our own benefit.” I found this ironic coming from a woman who had done this on the stage until her finances permitted her to conduct only private séances.

“Turn the electric light on, please,” Miss Ella commanded.

I was closest to the switch. As I got to my feet and walked toward the door, I became aware of a figure standing there in deep shadow. Suddenly I realized that I recognized him. It was Justin Hartley, the man I had killed a year ago.





Thirteen

My breath came in short gasps as I fought for air. The world was spinning around me, stars were dancing be-fore my eyes. I believe that someone caught me as I fell.

I came to, coughing and spluttering, when smelling salts were waved under my nose.

“It’s all right, Molly dear. Just lie still for a while,” said a soothing voice.

I opened my eyes to find myself lying on a low couch. Theresa knelt beside me. Mrs. Van Gelder held the bottle of smelling salts in her hand and was looking at me with apprehension.

“What happened to me?” I asked.

“You fainted. Quite understandable, given the heat in the room and the excitement,” Mrs. Van Gelder said.

“But I never faint,” I protested and realized immediately why other women fainted so often when I didn't. When one is alarmed, one takes short breaths, which are not possible given the restrictions of a corset. As these thoughts went through my head, I remembered what had made me faint. I fought to sit up and looked around nervously. I was in a room bathed in strong electric light and there was no sign of Justin Hartley’s ghost. The Misses Sorensen had promised they would make unbelievers change their minds and they had done so. I would have to write to Daniel and tell him that the sisters were quite genuine.

“How do you feel now, Miss Gaffney?” Mrs. Van Gelder asked. “Do you think you feel strong enough to join us at dinner?” She patted my hand. I sat up, feeling foolish.

“Quite well again, thank you. I'm so sorry for causing this trouble.”

“Not at all. It happens to all young girls, doesn't it? Too much emotion.”

I was furious at myself for being lumped together with emotionally unstable and weak young women, but I couldn't very well correct her. I had to smile wanly and allow myself to be lifted to my feet.

“And you, Mrs. Flynn?” Mrs. Van Gelder turned to Theresa, who had been sitting on a chair beside me. “Will you join us? I realize it must have been most emotionally distressing for you too.”

“Oh no, quite the contrary” Theresa’s eyes were shining. “I heard Brendan’s voice. We all heard it, didn't we? That means Chief Ojuweca has contacted him and hell come back to me when die time is right. At last I dare to hope!”

Belinda helped her to her feet. We came out into the hallway to find that the men had already gone through to the dining room.

“Ah, here come the casualties,” Mr. Van Gelder said brightly. “Quite recovered, I hope. I always said that seances were dangerous things. Messing with the unknown. No good can come if it, you know.”

“Nonsense, Theo. You don't know what you're talking about,” Mrs. Van Gelder said. “Mrs. Flynn distinctly heard her son’s voice. We all did.”

“And we saw a creeping hand,” Cousin Clara exclaimed.

“Whose hand?” Barney asked.

“Nobody’s. It moved with a life of its own and it glowed with its own light,” Qara went on excitedly. “Then it just vanished. Poof, like that. Most chilling.”

“A disembodied hand? What next!” Bamey took his wife’s arm. “You are responsible for bringing this nonsense into my household.