22

Lou drove back to the manor, hoping against hope that Evan would already be in bed and asleep. She really didn’t want to face him tonight. Not with her mind so conflicted and so many unanswered questions about him and Varian tumbling in her brain. She needed to sort through her feelings before she did or said anything she would regret.

Resigning being the exception to that.

Fog swept in off the mountains as she drove, and she shivered, remembering what Tobias had said about the murders and the cover of the fog.

She parked her car and removed the box from the boot. She wrapped it in her coat before locking the car and heading up the steps to the front door. It opened as she got there and closed behind her almost as soon as she stepped into the hall.

Evan kept his face impassive. “How was your meeting?”

“It was interesting,” she said. “How was your evening?”

He scowled. “Fine. Who was he? You said you were going to a meeting.”

“And I did exactly that.” Lou hefted the box in her arms. “I met with Professor Tobias Cunningham from Cumbria University. We were discussing a potential job offer, not that it’s any concern of yours.”

“That isn’t what is sounded like from where I was standing.” He paused. “A job interview. In a pub? Do you really think I came down in the last shower?”

She gritted her teeth. “No, I don’t. And yes, a job offer. There’s a position going in the university here. He wanted to talk to me and he suggested dinner in the pub. We arranged it on Tuesday. Were you spying on me?”

“Why would I waste my time doing that? I fancied a quiet drink in the local pub. Did you get this job?”

“He’ll let me know. But either way I will be out of your hair and your house by Tuesday at the latest.” She shifted the box again. The longer she held it, the heavier it appeared to get.

He tilted his head. “What’s in your coat?”

“Nothing much. Just some stuff from the car.”

“It looks heavy.”

“It is. Well, it’s been a very long, very rough day, so I’ll call it a night.” She moved to the foot of the stairs. “Did you ever find your great-grandfather’s journal?”

“I…” He visibly hesitated. “Yes. But it won’t be much help I’m afraid. The ink is rather faded.”

“I’d still like to see it.”

“OK.” Was that reluctance in his voice? Would it prove his family’s involvement in the deaths of all those people? If the rumours were, in fact, true. “I’ll bring it up to your room for you.”

“Thank you.” She headed up the stairs and down the hallway, managing to balance the box long enough to open the door and flick on the light. She closed the door with her hip and set the coat wrapped box on her bed then unwrapped it and grabbed the camera, photographing it from several angles. Next she examined the box. There was a key hole, which indicated it was locked as well as rusted shut.

So involved in her work, the knock at the door made her jump. “One minute,” she called. She shoved the box under her bed and draped her coat over the back of the chair. Then she opened the door.

Evan held out the book. “The journal.”

“Thank you.” She reached for it, but he didn’t let go.

“Some things are best left buried in the past, Dr. Fitzgerald.”

A spear shot through her. They were back to titles were they? How much of the conversation with Tobias had he overheard? “Is that so, Mr. Close?”

“Yes.” He let go of the journal. “The coroner called. She’ll have the autopsy report tomorrow.”

“That’s awfully fast. And you know this how?”

“She called out of common courtesy. It’s my land, AJ was your friend, and you’re staying here.”

Lou bit her lip, the all too familiar grief welling up inside her again at the mention of AJ’s name. Sirens wailed outside. “I’ll never get used to that fog warning. Don’t see why you need it when we’re nowhere near the coast.”

“That’s not the fog warning, it’s the dam evacuation warning. They’re testing it. Which reminds me. Jasper asked if you could dive the dam in the morning. He’s worried about the integrity of the walls, and his diver has gone AWOL. They’re running six to eight feet of water off tonight, but he’d feel happier if someone could check the outer walls. It’s a crime scene still, but I have permission from the police to check the dam integrity. The last thing we need is a major disaster on our hands.”

“I’m not a builder or a structural engineer, but sure, I can dive and take photos.”

Evan nodded. “Thanks.” He turned to go then paused. “Oh, and Varian said to tell you that Monty will be here around lunchtime. He’ll be your new partner.”

Lou growled, anger consuming her. I knew it! “Great. That’s just what I wanted to hear.” She didn’t bother to hide the sarcasm.

Evan nodded. “Well, good night.”

She shut the door with slightly more force than absolutely necessary. Monty’s coming out could only mean one thing. Varian was planning on sweeping all this under the carpet. Discrediting her completely. Or he was covering something up.

Or knowing Varian, all of the above.

Either way, perhaps this journal held the answers.

However first there was something she needed to do. She flipped open the laptop and e-mailed Varian, copying it to head office, Evan, and herself.

Dear Varian,

Please accept my resignation from the Sparrow Foundation with immediate effect. I have several weeks leave accumulated and that will serve as my period of notice.

Dr. L.W.B. Fitzgerald.

Feeling better than she had in a long time, Lou hit send and closed down the laptop. She curled up on the bed, wrapped herself in the duvet, and began to read.