Luke, Addison, and Marjorie stood next to the wine racks at the back of the hidden room. Addison’s father had received an invitation to join Helen for dinner, an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“So where’s Roxanne?” Addison asked.
Marjorie bent her head to one side. Addison didn’t follow. Marjorie bent her head again, this time a little more.
“You’re telling me, she’s in there?” Addison pointed. “In the wall?! No wonder she can’t move on.”
Marjorie shrugged. “I had no way of knowing she’d be stuck here, in this life. I mean, it crossed my mind, but you need to understand—time was essential. We had to make a decision. I’m not proud of what I’ve done.”
“Why not bury her in the woods next to my grandfather?”
“Hugh and Celeste dealt with him, and Helen and I dealt with her. We decided not to tell each other what we’d done in case one of the bodies was discovered. The less people involved the better.”
Addison sized up the brick wall. “What exactly did you do?”
“This room used to be two feet wider. So we just…”
Luke felt up and down the bricks. “Stuck her inside and sealed it up. Do you see the way this is cracking? I bet I can pull some of these bricks out with my fingers.”
“We need to get her out,” Addison insisted.
“We can’t. Not now that Norman’s body has been found. The police will be back, this time with even more zest than before. We have no choice. Roxy may be uneasy, but she’ll just have to wait.”
“We can’t wait.”
“And why not?”
“Because Roxanne’s spirit isn’t the only one that’s uneasy.”
Marjorie squinted. “What do you mean?”
Addison told her what she had experienced the night before.
“Norman knows Roxy’s spirit is still here,” Marjorie said. “She killed him, and now that he has been freed, he’s come back for her.” She was quiet for a time. “I’ll need your help to get rid of him for good, but Roxy’s body stays until I see fit to let her go.”
“No!”
A startled Marjorie took a step back. Luke smiled.
“This isn’t up to you,” Addison said. “This is my house now. I’m setting her free.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Addison. Roxy doesn’t know who killed her. You might think she’s not a vengeful spirit, but trust me. She is.”
Addison faced Marjorie. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to write a letter, and you’re going to leave it with me. Then I want you to disappear. Go somewhere for a while and don’t come back until all of this has blown over.” She turned to Luke. “I want you to pick up my father. Take him into town. Do something with him—anything. Just make sure he’s clear of the house until you hear from me.”
***
Marjorie and Addison sat in the center of the floor in her mother’s old room, their hands joined together, eyes closed.
“Are you ready?” Marjorie asked.
“Ready.”
“Whatever you do, don’t break hold. We will do our part. What happens after that is up to them.”
“Have you done this before?”
“No. But when my mother was alive, she did it with her mother, and they taught me how.”
Addison flinched. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the queasy, curdled-milk feeling inside of her. This was it. She could feel Roxanne nearby, her spirit wandering to and fro, as if pacing the room.
Marjorie began. “Norman Grayson, we invite you in.”
Several seconds passed. Nothing happened. Addison half opened one eye and leaned forward. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”
Marjorie shook her head, silencing Addison. “Norman Grayson, I command you to appear.”
The bedroom light went out. Darkness spread across the room, and from it, the spirit of Addison’s grandfather rose up through the planks of wood, his body twisting and turning to break free. His head swiveled around, taking in his surroundings. A devilish grin ripped across his face. He’d been waiting for this moment for a long time, and it was finally here.
He didn’t seem to notice Addison and Marjorie at first. When he did, his face shot forward in an instant, hovering only a few inches in front of Addison. His mouth opened, but he didn’t speak. He cackled, his head looming in front of her like he wanted to crawl inside of her mind. She had the urge to let go of her grandmother’s hands and swish her hands in front of her, fending him off. Then she remembered her grandmother’s words: Whatever you do, don’t break hold.
Just when she thought he couldn’t come any closer, his head twisted around, his eyes falling upon Marjorie like a pair of daggers. Marjorie opened her eyes. Met his gaze. And then she gave him a look that reeked of sweet revenge. She glanced down, enticing him to follow her gaze, to see her hands entwined with Addison’s, bound as one.
The smug grin left his face.
Light entered the room, just as it had the first night Roxanne had appeared at the end of Addison’s bed. No longer did Roxanne look like a spirit; she looked human, like Addison could reach out and touch her, feel her flesh. Norman’s hands shot out in front of him, his hands gripping Roxanne’s neck. Her light started to fade. Roxanne looked at him, then at Addison. She reached her hand out toward her.
“Take it,” Marjorie said.
“But I thought you said—”
“We cannot help those in darkness. Only those on the side of the light. She is full of light. I can see that now. She needs you, Addison.”
Addison didn’t think—she reacted, locking hands with Roxanne. Roxanne flattened her free hand in front of her, spreading her fingers apart. A white orb formed inside her palm. She made a fist and then thrust her hand into Norman’s chest. She uncurled her fingers and released the orb inside him. He writhed, trying to shake her off, but it was too late. Light coursed through his body, growing brighter until it burst, spreading tiny fragments of white crystals throughout the air.
The room returned to normal. Addison’s grandfather was gone, but Roxanne remained. Marjorie released Addison’s hand and stood. “She came to you. Only you can help her get to where she needs to be.”
“I don’t even know what I’m doing. Do I have to do it alone?”
“You don’t need me anymore—not for this. Trust yourself. Believe in yourself.” She walked to the door and turned. “I’m very proud of you, Addison. You’ve grown into a strong, beautiful woman, just like your mother. Let your strength be your guide.”
The door closed. Addison rose, facing Roxanne. “I’m not really sure how to do this, or what to say, but here it goes. Your death was an accident. Since then, you’ve been trapped here. You didn’t get the respect or the recognition you deserved. I’m sorry for what was done to you. And if you let me, I will make sure you are honored and put you in a place where others can honor you too. You’re free, Roxanne. Free to leave this life and this house. It’s time for you to move on. Don’t be afraid.”
Addison stepped back as if expecting some kind of magical light to appear. It didn’t. But something else did. A door, shiny and white, where the window in the room used to be. It opened. Addison saw nothing but pure white light on the other side.
Roxanne saw something different. She hoisted a hand into the air and began waving. Tears rolled down both sides of her cheeks. She ran to the door, stopping for a brief moment to turn back and look at Addison. “Thank you,” she said.
A moment later, both the door and Roxanne were gone.