The Hidden

“Well, Adam and I will be here,” Jane said, smiling. “I know how to conduct a séance. Not that I think it matters whether we’re séance experts or not, because if something is going to happen, it’s going to involve Scarlet.”


“Do you really believe we can convince the dead to come talk to us?”

“Who knows,” Jane said. “But whatever happens, it will be interesting to see how the others react, don’t you think?”

“If the killer’s really one of them and he believes the dead are about to literally unmask him, things could become dangerous.”

Jane looked at Scarlet. “Séance or morgue? Your call.”

Scarlet was quiet for a long moment. She didn’t like either option. “Let’s start with a séance,” she said at last.

“Great,” Diego said. “So now, all we have to do is wait for darkness to fall, the moon to rise and the candles to flicker. I can’t believe that’s how we’re trying to solve this case,” he said. “But who knows? Maybe our ghosts will arrive and our killer will believe.”





14

As Scarlet had suspected he would, Angus opted out of taking part in the séance.

His exact words were more definitive. “No. No how, no way, not now, not ever, and you must be kidding.”

Scarlet, accompanied by Jane, had gone down to the stables to talk to him. She told him it was fine if he chose not to join them—they were just trying to see who might be interested. But despite that reassurance, the mere suggestion of a séance set him off.

“You want a séance?” he asked. “Oooooh, spooky. Why not do some really weird shit? Let’s ride up to the cemetery at midnight so we can perform a Native American ritual and wake up all the spirits?”

Angus stared suspiciously at Jane, as if he held her personally responsible for all this, since she was the newest arrival.

Jane refused to be offended. “Maybe we’ll do that, too,” she told him cheerfully.

Scarlet watched Angus’s reaction with amusement. He was an old grouch, but even he wasn’t immune to Jane’s charm. “We’re just trying anything we can think of, Angus, because these murders are so awful and we need all the help we can get. It’s fine if you don’t want to be part of the séance, but will you be around tonight? In case we need you?”

“For what? You think the horses are going to start speaking in tongues?” Angus asked.

Jane smiled. “Not that, but you never know with horses. You know yourself—they’re intuitive. If something bad is going on, they’ll sense it and react But no, that’s not what Scarlet meant. It’s just that you’re smart, strong, and you know this ranch better than anyone. If anything is off, you’ll notice, and it would be good to know you’re out here, just in case there is any trouble. Human trouble. There’s still a murderer out there, and we can’t let ourselves forget that.”

Angus looked at her curiously, but seemed pleased by the compliment.

“I’m usually around anyway, but I’ll make sure I’m here tonight. I’ll keep an eye out for anything that looks wrong.” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “But a séance? Balls! I’m sorry, and I get that you have to try everything, but...balls.”

They thanked him for his willingness to watch for trouble, then headed back toward the house.

“I told you that would be his reaction,” Scarlet said.

Jane nodded. “That’s all right. At least we know he’ll hang around in case the killer makes a move or something.”

Inside, everyone from the main house—except Matt and Meg, who were already on the road—was just finishing up breakfast, the giant moose head seeming to look down at them as if it agreed with Angus about the idea of a séance, which they were animatedly discussing.

“We’ll do it. We’ll do anything you want,” Ben said. “I have to admit, I think it’s silly. But if you guys think it’ll help, Trish and I are in. Aren’t we, honey?” he said, turning to her.