Madeline hesitated. “One shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. All I will say is that he was a most unhappy man and tended to take out his misery on those around him.”
“And Jimmy Taylor? You knew him, too?”
“I don’t think we’d ever met.”
“Jimmy was the young lad who delivered for Rickman’s Dairy.”
“Ah, well, I buy my milk, butter, and cheese at the market.” Madeline frowned. “I find it strange that Thomas was killed with Jimmy’s whip. Kevin told me about the missing locks of hair and the angel stamps. How bizarre. It seems likely they were killed by the same person, doesn’t it. Did they know each other? Thomas and Jimmy, I mean.”
“Not as far as I know.”
“They must have had something in common. A common enemy, don’t you think?”
“Exactly.” Cecily leaned forward. “I was hoping you could help me with that.”
“Me? But I didn’t know… Oh!” Madeline’s face cleared. “Well, I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t promise anything. After all, I didn’t know Jimmy and I really didn’t know Thomas all that well.”
“Just do your best-that’s all I ask.”
Watching Madeline go into a trance was always an unsettling experience for Cecily. She had seen the transformation many times, but it never failed to raise goose pimples up her arms.
She sat quietly now as her friend closed her eyes and started to rock gently back and forth.
Madeline’s eyelids began to quiver, her mouth twitched, and she made soft little sounds at the back of her throat. Suddenly she arched her back with a little cry, sending a cold chill down Cecily’s back.
Madeline started whispering, words that made no sense, punctuated by low moans. Her hands rose, fingers outstretched as if warding off some kind of threat. Then, abruptly, it was over. Madeline fell back on her chair and opened her eyes.
Cecily waited until her friend’s gaze focused on her, then asked anxiously, “What did you see?”
“An evil mind.” Madeline looked shaken. “A dabbler in black magic. There is nothing more dangerous than a neophyte playing with the occult.”
“Could you see him?”
“No. I saw only the black, boiling cloud that enveloped him.” She shuddered. “You must stop this killer, Cecily. Soon. He is clever and extremely dangerous. His mind is filled with hate and revenge-a mind that will stop at nothing.”
“Revenge for what?”
Madeline lifted her hands and let them drop. “That, I don’t know.”
“I need more.” Cecily leaned forward. “What did Jimmy and Thomas have in common? Could it be that the two murders are not connected at all? That there are two killers?”
“I saw only one.” Madeline sat up, her dark eyes gleaming with an intense light. “One thing I do know. It’s not finished yet. There will be more. He must be stopped.”
“That’s all you can tell me?”
“I’m sorry.” Madeline got up, shaking out her skirt to cover her bare toes. “I wish I could tell you more. Rest assured, Cecily, if I do see anything else I shall see that you know it.”
Disappointed and more than a little fearful, Cecily rose and followed her friend to the door. “Thank you, Madeline. I know you don’t feel comfortable using your powers this way, and I do appreciate it.”
“You are a dear friend, Cecily. I would do anything for you. I do have one suggestion that may be of help. Thomas had an assistant, who is now managing the shop. His name is Lester Salt, and he might be able to give you answers.”
“That’s an excellent idea!” Cecily hugged her friend. “Thank you, Madeline. I knew you would point me in the right direction.”
“Just be careful-that’s all I ask. You could be dealing with a very dangerous adversary.” Madeline looked worried for a moment, then seemed to shrug off her concern. “If you want to repay me, please keep Phoebe and that idiot husband of hers out of my way.”
Cecily smiled. Her two best friends had been bickering ever since they had met years ago. They couldn’t be more opposite in nature or ideals, yet Cecily knew quite well they harbored a fondness for each other that neither of them would ever admit. “Don’t worry. Phoebe will be busy with rehearsals, and the colonel will no doubt spend his time in the bar.”
“Good. Then I shall be off to turn this decrepit old building into a Christmas wonderland.”
“Do your best,” Cecily said, laughing as she opened the door. “We will be overrun with children this year. Phoebe is presenting Peter Pan for her pantomime. There will be children in the cast, and I do believe she is asking Gertie’s twins to participate. Doris will be here in the next day or two, and she’s bringing her little daughter, Essie, so your hard work will be much appreciated and admired, I’m sure.”
Madeline’s face lit up. “Children! How marvelous. I shall make sure to include something just for them in my decorations.” She sailed off, her frock billowing out behind her.
Cecily closed the door and walked slowly back to the fire. Madeline’s vision worried her. If she hadn’t known what her friend was capable of, she might have been able to dismiss the warning. After all, it had all sounded rather bizarre. It’s not finished yet. There will be more.
Yet she did know Madeline’s powers. She had seen them for herself. As close as she was to the fire, Cecily shivered. She had dealt with killers of all kinds, and in many forms, yet this one seemed to pose more threat than any of them.
Maybe Baxter was right. Maybe this time she was taking on more peril than was wise. Part of her wanted to heed her husband’s warnings and let P.C. Northcott take care of the murders, as was his duty.
Cecily leaned back and closed her eyes. She must be getting old, to allow such weakness. This was one of the most interesting cases to come her way. Even if she did succumb to her caution, the intense desire to dig out the details and unravel the puzzle would not let her rest.
Besides, after all these years, Sam had asked for her help. She could not let this opportunity slip out of her hands. No, she must do what she could to bring this evil man to justice. If needs be, she would ask Madeline to help her. She was confident that her friend would be a match for anyone.
Thus resolved, she rose and tugged on the bell rope. She would have Samuel ready the carriage right away. With luck, Lester Salt would be able to send her on the right path.
Pansy picked her way through the snow, wincing as lumps of the cold white stuff found their way over the tops of her boots to sting her ankles.
On the first day of the storm she’d been excited to see the flakes falling so thick and fast, but now she’d had enough of it. She peered up at the gray sky, praying that the ocean winds would turn warm and bring the thaw.
Soon the Christmas guests would be arriving, and it wasn’t much fun drying out boots and shoes, cleaning up the mess in the foyer, stoking the fires in the bedrooms, or heating the beds with bed warmers.
The summer guests were so much easier to take care of, and personally Pansy couldn’t wait for the winter to be over with, Christmas and all.
She found Samuel in the stables as usual, romping with Tess. The big dog bounded over to her, ears flopping and tail wagging furiously.
Pansy crouched down to throw her arms around her furry neck. Samuel had found the stray wandering around the courtyard, half-starved, her coat matted and muddy.
Looking at her now, Pansy thought, as she stroked the silky head, it was like looking at a different dog. Samuel kept her bathed and fed, and she was quite the most beautiful animal Pansy had ever seen.
“Did you come to see me or my dog?” Samuel asked, his voice teasing as he approached them.
Pansy smiled up at him. “Both.” She stood, giving Tess a final pat. “Madam wants the carriage readied and at the door as soon as possible.” She tilted her head on one side. “She didn’t say where she was going.”