Page 41 of Halloween with a Daddy
“Not much to see.” I shrug. “At least we got the door open.”
“I wonder what’s in there.” My grandmother walks over to the trunk.
“I don’t think I can pick that one, dear.” My grandfather laughs.
“You don’t even have to.” She reaches down and pushes a fingernail into the wood next to the top of the lock. “It’s got dry rot like the rest of the furniture that’s been neglected.”
“Hmm, open it up then.” My grandfather walks over.
I’m a little uneasy about it, but I don’t think Edgar is going to care that much. At least I can blame it on my grandparents, although I’d take the blame myself if it put me back across his knee. Or the wheelbarrow position we tried before he left. I let myself daydream for a moment while my grandmother opens the chest, then I hear a gasp.
“Holy shit!” My grandfather jumps back and I’m startled because I’ve never heard him use that phrase.
“Oh, my...” My grandmother immediately slams it shut.
“What’s in there?” I ask, taking a step closer.
“Um.” My grandfather turns to me. “Bones.”
“What!?” I blink in surprise. “Like, human bones.”
“Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t have come in here.” My grandmother takes a step back. “Let’s leave.”
“We have to call the police.” My grandfather insists. “We can’t just leave them here!”
“Let me call Edgar!” I reach into my purse for my phone and hurry back to the main part of the house.
Edgar is as confused as we are, and says we can call the police, but not until he arrives. I’d be happy he’s coming back so soon if it was under better circumstances. I’m nervous he’ll be mad when he sees where we found them, especially when he finds out my grandfather literally had to pick a lock to get into the room.
I planned to introduce him to my grandparents eventually, but not like this.
I really hope they like him as much as I do.
Edgar
Atrunkfullofbones?
Human remains?
I knew Grimwillow Manor had a lot of secrets, but this one has my head spinning. I can’t imagine who they belong to. That part of the house has been sealed off for so long they have to be older than any of the family members I met.
I’m slightly annoyed that Bethany didn’t stick to the main part of the house, but I don’t think her grandparents would have let her do anything dangerous. When I was younger, I got into a lot of places I shouldn’t have been. I just never made a discovery like this.
I cancel my appoints for the rest of the week before leaving the office. I don’t even give my secretary an explanation. If the cops are going to be involved, I’ll have to stay in Willow Grove for a few days. That’s not a bad thing, but the circumstances aren’t the best.
I call a couple of family members on the way, and they are as baffled as I am. I even call my mom, although she doesn’t know a lot about Grimwillow Manor, just to ask if my dad mentioned anything like that. She has nothing to offer other than a couple of stories I’ve already heard. Stories that were believed to be nothing more than urban legend.
When I turn into Grimwillow Manor and make my way up the driveway, I see Bethany on the front porch. Regardless of the circumstances that have brought us together again, my heart skips a beat when I see her. She gives me a nervous wave and a half-smile.
“I’m so sorry!” She rushes to me as soon as I step out of the car. “We shouldn’t have been messing around in that part of the house.”
“You did nothing wrong.” I pull her in for a hug. “Show me what you found.”
Bethany leads me inside and introduces me to her grandparents. Jon and Wendy Brooks. Jon is stoic, but gives me a handshake. Wendy goes for a hug, saying she’s heard so much about me. I flash a questioning look to Bethany, and all I get is a shrug.
The trio leads me to the abandoned part of the house, and they show me the room. Jon finally opens up a little more when he replays the steps that lead to the discovery.
“You found the secret passage?” I look at the wall where it opens. “Wow, I never looked for them in here. All the ones that lead to the main part of the house were sealed off.”
