Thursday Evening
That evening, after a pizza, salad, and beer dinner, Kevin rolled out two sets of architectural drawings on the dining room table. The light from the chandelier shed a warm glow over them as Molly set candlesticks on each corner to hold the blueprints in place.
Kevin smoothed out the documents with his palms. “I was able to get them reprinted. The original plans were archived at the county clerk’s office. I needed them before I could begin renovations.”
Tommy leaned in. “Best to know what you’re getting into.”
Kevin pointed to the specific locations as he spoke. “We added three new bathrooms on the second floor. My parents added one about twenty years ago to the Terrace Room.”
Tommy tapped his forefinger on the blueprints. “They don’t show the room addition off the dining room.”
“The summer porch. I haven’t found any evidence that those plans ever existed,” Kevin said.
“If he were building a secret room, he wouldn’t want his architect to file them with the county clerk for just anyone to see.” Tommy chuckled. “Kind of defeats the purpose of being secret.”
“But I’m sure there are no secret rooms in the basement. I would’ve found evidence during all this renovation.”
“What if someone sealed it up?” suggested Tommy. “Block up the room, make the walls seem like the rest, and no one’s the wiser.”
“But why?” asked Elise.
“Hide whatever was in there from federal agents or the local police,” suggested Tommy.
Molly gestured toward the young man. “He’s got a point. If those plans ever existed, they’re safely hidden. Old Patrick Harrington was a shrewd businessman.”
“I’d like to do some measurements downstairs and outside around the summer porch,” Kevin said. “You’re welcome to join me in giving the basement a good examination.”
“Besides what he’s already done?” Elise asked.
Kevin furrowed his brow. “What?”
“Didn’t Molly tell you? We found our friend here snooping around in the basement this morning.”
Kevin stared at Molly, hands on his hips. “No, she said a guest wanted to talk to me about the renovations and to bring the plans.”
All eyes were on Tommy. “Did she tell you they practically pummeled me with cooking utensils?”
Kevin laughed. “That sounds like these two.”
“I apologized,” Tommy said. “I should have asked first, but they were out and—”
“You just thought you’d take a look.” Kevin’s eyes held Molly’s. “Sound familiar?”
Molly rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Tommy is lucky he didn’t get beaned with that marble rolling pin.”
Tommy scratched his head. “Truer words were never spoken.”
“If that’s all,” Kevin said. “I’ll roll these up and put them back in the tube.”
“Thanks for showing them to me,” Tommy said.
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you want to do any more poking around, and I’ll come by. We can do it together.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.”
“You got a cell number?” Kevin asked. “I’ll text you if I can get away early tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got a couple of remodels on opposite ends of the county.”
“I think I have something with my number.” Tommy pulled out his wallet. “I’ve been working with my uncle in his construction business, and he gave me some business cards.” He pulled out a white business card, and a folded photograph on copy paper fell onto the table.
“Is this your family?” Molly pointed to the photograph of a man, two women, and three adult children.
Tommy handed the card to Kevin. “My mom and dad, my grandma, me, and my brother and sister. It was last Fourth of July.”
“Nice family.” She picked up the photo, turned it over, and saw the words “Nora’s family” written on the back. “Who’s Nora?”
“My grandma. My uncle took the photo and emailed it to me. I printed it, but it’s getting pretty ratty in my wallet.”
“Nora? Your grandmother’s name is Nora?” Molly’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach, and she sank into the closest chair.
Tommy nodded. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” Kevin asked. “You’re white as a ghost.”
Elise took the photo from Molly and examined it. “It’s probably a coincidence.”
“What’s a coincidence?” Tommy asked.
Kevin slid the business card into his shirt pocket. “Your grandma’s name is very close to our great-aunt’s, who would have been about the same age as your great-grandfather.”
“Elnora. Nora.” Elise looked first at Kevin and then at Molly. “What’s the chance?”
Puzzlement crossed Tommy’s face. “Who’s Elnora?”
“If we follow the story,” Kevin said, “your great-grandfather was in love with our great-aunt, who died mysteriously in this house. Your great-grandfather appears to have named his daughter after his long-lost love.”
Molly felt a sudden chill, and a shiver slid down her spine.
***
Molly paced the kitchen, waiting for the water to boil for her tea. Tommy had excused himself and gone upstairs, undoubtedly to call his mother with the revelation. Kevin and Elise sat at the kitchen table and finished their beers. Molly’s hands trembled as she poured hot water into a cup.
“This is crazy,” she said. “Do you think this has anything to do with Aubrey’s death?”
Kevin shrugged. “Who knows? But I’m going over that basement with a fine-tooth comb and a tape measure tomorrow afternoon.”
“Better watch him, Molly,” Elise teased. “Especially if he shows up with a sledgehammer. You know how he loves knocking down walls.”
Molly couldn’t help but smile. “There will be no demolition. We’ve just put this place back together—except for the third floor. No walls up there. It’s the largest bathroom ever—one big room with a toilet and a claw-foot tub.”
“I’ll get to it,” Kevin said. “Don’t worry. But we need to finish the barn first.”
Elise agreed. “It would be nice to book some late summer and fall weddings.”
Molly laughed. “If we get any reservations. Who’d want to get married in a place where a famous author got whacked over the head?”
Elise gave a crooked grin. “Lots of people get into that ghostly stuff.”
Kevin walked to the back door and moved the curtain aside to peek out the window. “Any more late-night visitors out back?”
“Not that I’ve seen. Tony said if I saw anyone, call the police, regardless of the time.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t our new friend taking a preliminary look around?” Kevin asked. “Kind of coincidental that he shows up right after that happened.”
Elise joined Kevin at the window. “There’s been quite a few coincidences these last few days.”