Krewe of Hunters 8 The Uninvited (22 page)

“No,” Tyler agreed. “
You
weren’t
adopted. But I’m willing to bet someone in your family was.”

“We’ll look for any possibility when we study the records while
you’re gone,” Logan told them.

“Adoption is wonderful, but I know that neither of my parents
was adopted, either. One of my best friends in school was, and my dad used to
tell her how fortunate she was that her parents had chosen her and loved her so
much,” Allison said.

“I wasn’t thinking about your parents,” Tyler said. “I’m
thinking further back.
Much
further back.”

“What do you mean?” Allison asked him.

“I mean back to Lucy Tarleton.”

13

“Y
ou can’t go to Valley Forge today,”
Kelsey told Tyler the next morning as he walked into the pantry to pour a cup of
coffee after he’d showered and dressed.

“Why not?”

“Because we have an invitation,” Kelsey told him.

“To what?”

“It’s easy to understand why you’ve forgotten,” Kelsey said
with a wry grin. “Cherry Addison. Remember, yesterday, before all hell broke
loose? She invited us to her husband’s showing. You could go to Valley Forge and
we could go to the show, but I believe all our suspects will be there.”

“Valley Forge is only about twenty miles north of the city,”
Tyler said. “It’s a day trip for a lot of people visiting Philly.”

“Yes, but what if you do find something there?”

Tyler frowned. He wanted to get to Valley Forge, but seeing all
the suspects in one place at one time was too good an opportunity to miss.

“Are they still having the show?” Tyler asked. “Sarah Vining
died yesterday.”

“That’s not enough to stop this, with the gallery set up and
all the invitations sent out. Even if it conflicted with a funeral, which it
won’t, I’m not sure the Addisons would have stopped it,” Kelsey said. “And at
Kat’s request, they’re holding Julian’s
and
Sarah’s
bodies for at least a few days, so…”

Kelsey handed Tyler a cup of coffee. “Your call.”

“What time is the showing?”

“I called Mrs. Addison this morning. Cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres at six. Her husband, George, the artist, will be there, of course, to
meet with his adoring fans.”

“I understand he’s good.”

“We’ll find out, won’t we?”

“I guess so. Kat’s going back to the morgue, right?”

Kelsey nodded. “I’m going to watch the house with Jane and
Sean. Jane’s still working, but you’ll want to see the images she’s come up with
so far. I’ve spelled Sean a few times. He’s equally convinced we’ve got to pay
attention to the cameras—”

“We do,” Tyler interrupted.

“Logan is going to the records office to see what he can
discover.”

“All right,” Tyler said. “I’m heading down to the police
station to talk to Jenson. When Allison wakes up, will you tell her what’s going
on?”

“I will. Anything else you want her to know or do?”

“Yes, ask her to print out the missing article—she believes she
can find it online,” Tyler said. “And ask her to call Martin Standish and see if
we can set something up for tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you later, then.”

* * *

Jenson wasn’t the officer investigating the accident
that had injured two dozen people—several still in critical condition—and killed
Sarah, but he offered any help Tyler and his Krewe might need. He also asked for
an update on anything they’d discovered.

“We believe, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the death of
Julian Mitchell was engineered. But we don’t know why someone was rummaging
through the attic, or if the same person tore apart the attic
and
killed Mr. Mitchell,” Tyler explained. “We also
believe yesterday’s accident was maliciously planned with the intent to kill
Sarah.”

“I’ve heard there was a snake in Ms. Vining’s car,” Jenson
said. “That’s a far-fetched way to commit murder. The snake
might
just have crawled into the vehicle.”

“How did a snake happen to crawl into
her
car?” Tyler asked in turn.

“It’s not impossible.”

“That snake was planted there,” Tyler insisted. “Oh, has anyone
found it yet?”

Jenson shook his head. “No one was looking for a snake. The car
was towed to the impound. Of course, as soon as the PPD heard about the
snakebite, we warned the men and women working the car to be careful and on the
lookout for a snake. Thing is, that snake might be long gone by now.”

“Or it might still be hiding in the car,” Tyler warned.

“That’s true. I don’t think the vehicular people have examined
the car yet. I’ll make a call as soon as we’re through.” He paused, his
expression puzzled. “The real question is, why would anyone risk the lives of
that many people to kill one?”

“To make it look like an accident.”

“I don’t buy it,” Jenson told him, clearly not won over. “Are
we talking about insanity here?”

“So far, Sarah’s is the only death, but a few others are
critical,” Tyler reminded him. “And I’m not suggesting that whoever’s doing this
is insane. I just think the agenda this person has precludes caring about any
collateral damage.”

“What can I do at my end?” Jenson asked. “If we find the
creature—well, it’s unlikely a snake is going to talk.”

Tyler was surprised; Jenson did seem to have a sense of wry
humor.

“No, but what you can do is check to see if any have been sold
lately. Our murderer
might
have purchased the
snake.”

“Agent Montague, this is Philadelphia. We’ve sent out an alert,
but I doubt we’ll get anything. Copperheads are easy to find in the woods that
surround the city,” Jenson said. “They show up in basements and garages. We’ve
also contacted Philadelphia’s animal control, but they haven’t had anyone call
to ask
for
a copperhead. But you’re right. We’ll
follow every angle.”

“Whoever is doing this is extremely clever. These murders have
taken calculation and planning and they’ve required a certain level of
risk.”

Jenson hesitated. “You’re
sure
they’re all murders?”

“I’m positive Sarah’s is. And there’s evidence of a blow on
Julian Mitchell’s head. That proves someone shoved him down on that bayonet. So,
yes, I’m sure.”

Jenson still didn’t seem convinced, but he wasn’t
argumentative. “What do you want from me?”

“Have your men keep an eye on Ethan Oxford, Nathan Pierson,
Cherry Addison, Jason Lawrence and Annette Fanning,” he said.

“That’s a tall order and a lot of manpower. This is a big city.
We have our share of crime, I’m afraid.”

“I know you can’t have your officers tracking them every minute
of every day. Ask them to keep an eye out for suspicious activity,” Tyler said.
“Drive by their houses, check to see that they are where they’re supposed to
be.”

“What about Ms. Leigh?”

“She was with us at the house yesterday, both before and during
the accident,” Tyler told him. “Three of the board members were there shortly
before the accident, as well.”

“Then we’ll take a closer look at the board members.” Jenson
lifted his hands. “They’re dedicated to that place. Why would any of them want
to commit murders—bizarre murders that are bound to cast a bad light on the
house?”

“If we can figure out why, we’ll know who,” Tyler said.

“Listen, I’m going to see whether we can find out if one of
them has taken a nice walk in the woods lately. I don’t believe our killer
purchased the snake. And if they find the creature, maybe an expert can tell us
more about it.”

“We’ll work that angle, too, but since you’re local, you’re in
a better position to pursue it,” Tyler said.

As he was about to leave, Jenson’s phone rang. He raised one
hand, asking Tyler to wait.

Then he hung up. “They’ve found your snake.”

* * *

There was something about Adam Harrison that drew people
to him.

After taking a cold shower—the hot water supply had run out—and
getting dressed, Allison was surprised to see Adam at the house, seated in their
little enclave around Sean’s computer.

She’d sensed that he usually put one of his Krewes on a case
and withdrew himself.

But when she arrived downstairs, he was there, together with
Logan and Sean. When he saw her, he quickly rose.

“My dear,” he said, coming toward her. He took both of her
hands. “I’m delighted to see you looking so much better. I’m delighted, as well,
that you’ve chosen to assist my unit.”

“And I’m delighted that your unit is anxious to save my life,”
she said, meaning it.

“Naturally, our purpose is to save the lives of all we
can.”

“You’re still here,” she said. “Is that usual?” She smiled.
“From what I understand, you’re all over the country, involved with law
enforcement…and philanthropy.”

“Yes, well, Ethan and I go way back. He’s an old friend.
Actually, he was my son Josh’s godfather. I felt this was a situation I should
be here for, just in case I was needed.”

“I’m happy to see you again,” Allison said. “Well, I guess I’ll
be leaving soon.”

“No, you’re not,” Kelsey said, sweeping into the room with a
cup of coffee for her.

“Oh?”

“The trip to Valley Forge is postponed, because of the art
showing tonight.”

“And ‘all the king’s men’ will be there,” Adam murmured.

“Oh.” Allison tried not to show her disappointment.

She’d looked forward to spending the day with Tyler, hoping for
more—much more—than they’d experienced so far. Even if it couldn’t last…

“In the meantime Tyler has a couple of requests,” Logan told
her. “He’s asked that you contact Mr. Standish and see if you can arrange an
appointment for tomorrow. And would you look for that article online? The one
that seems to be missing from the attic.”

“Of course. Tyler isn’t here?”

“He’s checking in with the police.”

“I understand that one of the resident ghosts is trying to
reach you.” Adam spoke in a low voice.

“I believe
I’m
a resident ghost
now, and
I’ve
reached her just fine!”

She hadn’t heard or seen Julian until he suddenly spoke behind
her. She jumped, and Adam frowned. She realized he couldn’t see the ghost.

“
Another
resident ghost,” Kelsey
said, rolling her eyes.

“We have someone present?” Adam asked.

“Julian Mitchell, my friend who was killed here,” Allison
replied.

“Ah.” Adam wasn’t sure where to look, but he ventured a
question. “Mr. Mitchell, have you been able to contact any of your fellow ghosts
in this house?”

“Tell him I’ve seen the ghost of Lucy Tarleton just like you’ve
seen her—a wraith running away,” Julian said.

Allison repeated his words.

Adam turned thoughtfully to Logan and then to Allison. “My
Krewes have seen so much and learned so much, and there’s still an infinite
number of things we don’t understand. It’s impressive, I think, that Mr.
Mitchell has so readily appeared to you. Was he an outgoing man in life?”

“Painfully,” Allison said.

“Hey!” Julian protested.

“He was a performer,” Allison said, feeling guilty about her
earlier comment. “A very good performer,” she added.

Adam nodded. “Lucy Tarleton has been in this house for over two
hundred years now. When she was alive, she was secretive by necessity. You may
have to draw her out, and pay careful attention to every appearance she makes.”
He smiled sadly. “I just see one soul here on earth—my son, Josh. It took a very
long time, and then one day…one day
he
broke through
to me. He is still the only soul I’m able to communicate with, but I ask nothing
else. It’s through you, those who do have the gift, that I can try to help
others. It’s a remarkable world when you have a greater vision,” he said.

“Adam, we believe Lucy is saying something. And Allison will
figure out what it is,” Logan assured him.

“Right now,” Allison said, “I’m going to the office to pull up
that article and I’ll call Martin Standish.”

“I’ll go with you,” Kelsey told her. When Allison looked at her
sharply, Kelsey shrugged. “We need to take every precaution.”

Adam had already turned to speak with Logan and Sean as Kelsey
and Allison started up the stairs.

“The shower must’ve been freezing,” Kelsey said. “I’m sorry. I
should have warned you.”

“It helped me wake up.” Allison laughed, and Kelsey joined in.
The more she was with members of the Krewe, the more Allison liked them. They
were like a family, trusting in one another and all working together at whatever
task they were assigned. Of course, Kelsey and Sean
were
family, and Kelsey and Logan were a couple. The others had all
known one another in Texas.

She was glad of Kelsey’s company.

“If I’m not heading to Valley Forge today,” Allison said as
they reached the attic office, “I’d like to stop by my place for a few more
things, if someone can come with me. And, maybe, a long,
hot
shower.”

“I’ll walk over with you.”

“Thanks.” Allison sat down at the computer and keyed in a
search for Martin Standish articles. She found the second one he’d written on
Lord Brian “Beast” Bradley and printed it out. Then she called Martin, but had
to leave a message.

“I’ll have to wait for him to call back,” she said.

But even as she spoke, her phone rang. She was surprised that
Martin Standish had called her right back—and that he was angry. “Allison Leigh,
from the Tarleton-Dandridge House!” he spat out. “If you’re calling to tell me
you plan to embarrass me with some kind of news story or sue me for slander,
you’re full of it!”

“What?” Allison said, stunned. “No, no, Mr. Standish, we’ve
only corresponded on email. Do you remember? I admire your research very much.
I’m eager to see you and learn more about the letters and information you
have.”

There was a distrustful silence on the other end. Then he
asked, “You didn’t call me and threaten me?”

“Never! I swear it,” Allison said. Kelsey was looking at her,
perplexed.

“Mr. Standish, I take it that someone did call and threaten
you, but it wasn’t me. When did this happen? Do you know who it was?” Allison
asked.

Kelsey was watching her, trying to hear both ends of the
conversation.

“It was a woman. I thought she was you,” Standish muttered.
“She said she was with the Tarleton-Dandridge House and she was appalled by the
traitorous slant I was putting on the patriots of the house. And if I didn’t
stop, she’d see that I did.”