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“If her daughter fell in love,” Cleo continued, “got close to someone, she’d almost certainly tell that person the entire story. Blow the lie up right there. Can’t have that.”

“I want to talk to her—to Gretta Poole. Am I allowed to do that?”

“Since Collin’s death, I’ve been her custodian, and the trustee of what he left to take care of her. I’ve been to visit her twice now, but she doesn’t know me. You’re a blood relation, and certainly allowed to visit. But her condition’s advanced. She rarely speaks to anyone, and when she does, it’s generally nonsense. Though she’s usually passive, she can be disruptive. Anxious again, frightened. Even angry.”

“I’d like to try. I won’t know if it’ll do any good until I do.”

Nudging up his glasses, he gave her a long look.

“You have Collin’s eyes—well, your father’s. It may spark something. I’ll see you’re put on her visitation list. That way you can pick a time that suits you.”

“I appreciate it, very much. All of it. Did you know about the mirror?”

“I’ve never seen it. Collin told me, again even back when we were boys, that he dreamed of it. A mirror framed with predatory birds and animals. And of the boy, who looked just like him, in the glass. I thought they were dreams, and later, when I found out about your father, assumed some sort of twin memory or connection.”

Reaching out, he closed his hand over Sonya’s. “Now that I knowit’s not, I worry about it, and you. And I worry I didn’t know enough of what has, can, and does happen in this house when I knocked on your door last winter.”

She turned her hand to link her fingers with his. “You changed my life, and I’m grateful. I want to be here, and I want to do everything I can to end whatever power Hester Dobbs has in this house.”

When Sonya said the name, doors slammed, something pounded against the walls, and the ceiling light swayed as if in a sudden, wild wind.

“She will have her tantrums,” Cleo said, and picked up a cookie. “Sonya said she feeds on fear and grief. We’re not giving her a damn thing to eat.”

“I’m glad Sonya has you, Cleo. I’m glad you have each other.”

“And we’re not alone here.” Sonya gave Deuce’s hand a squeeze in turn. “They’re all here, all seven brides. Others, too, others here in the manor. I know that absolutely. And they all want her gone. I don’t know why it’s for me to do—us,” she corrected. “But it is.”

She smiled as the noise died. “So I’ll go see Gretta Poole at some point. Maybe she can add something, maybe not. And in a few weeks, Cleo and I are throwing a major event.”

“I heard about that. It’s quite an undertaking.”

“The manor was made for big, happy parties.”

“It counteracts, I think,” Cleo put in. “People and fun and light and music.”

“How it used to be. After Johanna… Collin lost his heart. But before? He’d often have a summer party, and always one during the holidays. Smaller gatherings in between. Maybe it does counteract. One thing I can be certain of is people will come. So be prepared.”

He rose. “I’d better be on my way. I’m going to do some more research on Patricia. The originals of these clippings and photographs should be tucked away in here somewhere.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. We can look.”

“In any case, I’ll leave these with you. My mother or Ace may have some filed away, too. So we’ll see. We’ll do whatever we can to make sure you live here safe and happy. I’m glad to have had sometime here, and to have met you, Cleo. I had a friendship like yours and Sonya’s, and I know how much it matters.”

“Give Corrine my best,” Cleo told him. “I really enjoyed my day with her. She made me look damn good.”

“I’d say that would be the easiest job she’s ever had.”

“And now I see where Trey gets his charm.”

“She’s been a real asset to my work,” Sonya added as they walked him to the door.

“She’ll be happy to hear that. Everyone at Doyle Law is thrilled with your work on the new website and the rest. I mentioned it to a colleague in Ogunquit. You should be getting a call from Peter Stevenson.”

“Thank you! I love new clients. Thanks for coming.”

“Anytime, and I mean that. Take care of each other.”

“That’s what we do.” Cleo draped an arm around Sonya’s shoulders.