They walked to his car and Aidan opened the door for Rollo, then for her. When they’d driven for a few minutes, she felt the silence between them had grown uncomfortable. Awkward. “Is the investigation getting anywhere?” she asked him.
“We’re somewhere,” he told her. “I still believe someone in Richard’s retinue was involved, but it’s possible—though not plausible—that it was someone else, someone at the convention center. We know there had to be a connection between Richard and Wendy, although we haven’t established what it was. We strongly feel we’re looking for two people.” He glanced over at her as he drove. “And I still believe that Lizzie grave meant something, that it’s important to the case.”
Mo hesitated. “I think I may know a little more about that.”
“Oh?” He glanced her way again.
She stared straight ahead, realizing that her words might sound ridiculous. “I saw Major Andre tonight.”
“Major Andre?” he repeated. “You don’t mean as one of your characters at the Haunted Mausoleum, right?”
“No. I play the Woman in White. I thought I saw him the night before. But tonight, I...spoke with him.”
She waited for him to deny that was even possible. His wanting her to speak with Richard’s ghost was one thing. Her speaking with a Revolutionary spy might be quite another.
“What did he say? How could he help?” he asked.
“From the way he looked at me, I could tell that he thought he was seeing another ghost. Dressed up, I must have resembled his Lizzie—or Elizabeth Hampton. He’s been searching for her all these years. But, here’s something I hadn’t known. He told me Lizzie had a child—named Lizzie, or Elizabeth, too. He believes the words might refer to her grave.”
“And did he know where it was?”
“No, but he wanted me to find his Lizzie, Elizabeth Hampton, for him.”
Aidan didn’t respond. He seemed disappointed. “I’m not sure how that’ll get us closer to the truth,” he finally said.
“I don’t, either, but you’re the one who was interested in Lizzie’s grave. Maybe if we find the Woman in White, she could tell us more about it. And if we do find Lizzie’s grave, the daughter’s grave, I mean, that’ll help.”
“Did he give you any idea where to start?”
“Tappan, New York. It’s not far from here.”
“I know.”
“It’s where Andre was hanged.”
He smiled. “I know,” he said again.
They’d reached her house. He exited the car just as she did. When Rollo had bounded out, Aidan came around to walk her to her door.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll pick you up in the morning—a few hours from now—and we’ll go to Tappan. You’re willing to go?”
“Of course.”
They were at her door by then. She opened it, her mind racing. She could’ve told him that she’d also seen Richard Highsmith. But Richard hadn’t given her anything useful, not yet; she should wait. Wait until she did have something to say.
They stood at her door. She was shocked when he touched her chin, raising it gently, his actions curious and almost tender, puzzlement in his eyes.
“What is it?” he asked her.
“Nothing,” she murmured. “I, uh, just have to find my keys.”
She fumbled in her purse, her eyes still on his.
She could imagine what Grace would be saying if she was there. Grace would be pushing her, prodding her. Grace would whisper, Hey, go on in. Release a little tension. Come on, guys, get it on!
“I saw Richard Highsmith,” she said in a rush.
His hand seemed to freeze.
“You saw him? You didn’t tell me?”
“Because he was gone before he could say anything. He’s...he’s new. To being a ghost. Sometimes the dead have a hard time retaining...form, I guess. But he knows he can come to me now. I’m hoping...”
She thought Aidan would pull away in frustration. Or anger.
But he didn’t.
“You do have something really wonderful, you know?” he said softly.
Then his head lowered and his mouth touched hers. It was a slow kiss, as if his fascination with her had inevitably drawn him close.
His mouth lingered, but he finally lifted his head. “Sorry,” he murmured, stepping away. He smiled ruefully. “I’ll be back in a few hours. I can see you’re all right here, or Rollo would be barking like Armageddon was upon us. Go on in. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She stood, frozen.
“Mo, go in. And don’t wander out at night—even for Richard.”
She managed to retrieve her keys and open the door. She stepped inside, locking it, and then, through the little window, saw him walk away.
Mo leaned against the door, feeling as if her knees had turned to rubber.
He’d kissed her. Better than crazy, wild sex.
No, crazy, wild sex would’ve been great, too.
Rollo barked; she snapped to her senses.
It was really late, and Aidan was coming back for her in just a few hours.
She went to bed, but couldn’t sleep. In the dim light cast by the hall lamp, she stared at the bookshelves by her dresser.