Page 75 of Death at Inishmore Castle

Kieran took my hand in his and squeezed. His touch had a calming effect, and the warmth of him seeped through me.

“How do you suggest we do that in the dark?” He didn’t sound annoyed, more inquisitive.

“I have at least a ten-hour charge on my phone, and I carry a charger bank in my pocket.” I prayed we weren’t down here long enough to find out how long my phone would last. “While we’re searching through the paintings, we can talk about who might have locked us in,” I said. “Someone isn’t happy with us being down here.”

“Top of that suspect list would be the accountant.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Agreed. But is he working alone? When we left, he was in the room with the others, playing the mystery game.”

“It doesn’t mean he couldn’t sneak down here and lock the door.”

“True. Maybe the killings weren’t pre-meditated. The killer perhaps tried to reason with Sarah, but when she wouldn’t listen, he or she strangled and drowned her. Same with Carl. Maybe, they were asking for a bigger cut of the profits.”

“It has to be someone strong to strangle her,” he said. “And the water wasn’t that deep, so someone powerful held her down.”

“Okay, stay with me,” I said. “If the killer was Maximillian, would he have the strength? He’s tall, pasty, and quite thin. I just don’t see him doing either killing.”

“People can surprise you.”

“True. And I know you need evidence and not gut instincts, but I really don’t see him as a killer. I keep saying that, but it’s true. Though, it’s obvious he’s ripping off his clients in a big way.”

“Like you said before, he could be working with someone who works on-site. That’s what the evidence is telling us,” he said. “Well, you’re correct about one thing.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“I can’t go by your gut instincts. I need evidence.”

I sighed.

“We keep going in circles,” I said. “At least, we’ve caught one criminal, even if it isn’t for the murders. And you can stop Maximillian. The O’Sullivans are going to be so shocked to discover they are millionaires several times over. I can’t believe what he’s been doing to them.

“And what will happen when you arrest Sally?”

“That will depend on the O’Sullivans and if they want to press charges, since it’s obvious she has a psychological problem. You heard them talking about her therapy, and the court will look kindly on the fact that she’s been trying to get help. She may just get probation. Again, depends on the O’Sullivans.”

“I wonder if your team have found the evidence of the theft, and Maximilian’s fraud.”

“I’m sure they have.”

“Do you think the lights going out really have to do with the storm?”

“Are you asking whether someone is planning something tonight? It’s possible.”

“I’m worried about Lizzie. She may be in a room with a killer, and we are stuck down here. Someone wanted us trapped.”

Panic rose tight in my chest.

“We need to get out of here,” I said. “What if she’s in danger?”

“How do you propose we do that? The lock is on the other side of the door.”

“Right, but the secret passages run along every floor. Why should this one be any different? Let’s look for another entrance.”

It took nearly an hour of us moving things away from the wall and searching for something that looked like a lever or feelingfor air coming through the wall. We were at the far end of the room when we finally had some luck.

“There is air coming through the mortar here,” I said. I pushed on the wall but nothing happened. “Do you see any kind of handle or lever?”

“No.” He ran his hands across the back wall.

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