Page 34 of Death at Inishmore Castle

“Yes. He walked away before I could hear more. I was more curious why his cell worked when the rest of us have such spotty reception.”

That was a good question.

“Okay. I’ll let Kieran know. But promise me you will all be careful.”

“We promise,” Lizzie said. “Can you do the same?”

I made the sign of the cross over my heart like we used to do when we were children. “I promise.”

What Rob had overheard from the accountant was odd. A treasure in the castle? That seemed a bit much. Still, I would explore that idea with Kieran at some point. That is, after doing some research of my own.

Later that night, I was hungry, and Lizzie, Mr. Poe, and I headed downstairs in search of a snack, and to let the dog out for his nightly constitution. The staff had left an array of sweets and sandwiches on the breakfast bar in the kitchen, for those who needed a bite before bed.

With all the walking we’d been doing, and the fact that I don’t do lamb, which was what we’d been served for dinner, I was starving. I’d spent the hour and a half after dinner trying to pretend that all was well with my sister, even though she’d peppered me with one question after another. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out. I’d told her, Rob, and Scott most of what I knew, but she had a sense I was holding back.

Being a twin had its pitfalls and keeping secrets was one of them.

As we headed down the stairs, my stomach grumbled.

“You really are hungry,” Lizzie said.

“The smell of lamb nearly did me in at dinner.”

“I don’t understand that. You’ve never been a picky eater.”

I shrugged. “I’ve just never liked it. Like I said, even the smell puts me off. All I can think of is those sweet baby lambs and I’m done in.”

“Yuck. When you put it like that…”

“See?”

She nodded. “I can take Mr. Poe out if you want to stay here and eat.”

“Nope. From now on we are connected at the hip. Besides, I can eat on the go,” I said. I took a paper napkin and loaded a small pork pie on it, along with a sugar cookie. “I meant what I said, we don’t go anywhere alone, okay?”

She sighed. “When we get outside, you’re going to tell me exactly what has been happening. I know there is more going on than you’ve admitted to.”

There was no way around it. I would have to tell her the truth. We put on wellies by the back door, and grabbed flashlights as there was very little lighting outside.

A light rain had started again, so we grabbed a couple of umbrellas as well.

A stone path circled the long way around the castle, and we followed it. While Mr. Poe sniffed at the ground, Lizzie put a hand on my shoulder.

“Okay, tell me everything.”

“Kieran told me I couldn’t,” I said honestly.

“Right. That’s fine with the others, but this is me. Let me in so I can help you.”

I sighed. “Well, as I said, Sister Sarah is dead. Again, no clue who the perpetrator might be.”

“This place is getting creepier by the minute.” She glanced all around as if the killer might be following.

“I know what you mean.”

“You didn’t say how she was murdered? Was it a letter opener again?”

“No to the letter opener. It looked like she was maybe strangled, or it might have been drowning, or both. I’m hoping once they do a postmortem, Kieran will share the information with me, but as far as I know right now, she’s just very dead,” I said.

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