Page 141 of Ghost

Chapter Forty-Seven

Ellen retired to her room after the viewing in the parlor, as she’d said she would.She said she would rejoin the others for drinks on the veranda an hour before dinner.

Sharon changed and announced that she was going to go for a long walk, since she didn’t have to cook dinner.She was glad to have a chance to stretch her legs after the drive up.

Francis was itching to show Mason around his family home.He had the energy of a small child ready to open their presents on Christmas Day.

“If you do not stop popping in and out all over the place, I’m going to go and take a nap,” Mason declared, standing on the landing of the stairwell.

“I am sorry, Mason.”Francis called down from the top step to the second floor.“It is only because there are so many things to show you and...we do not have much time.”

Mason nodded, trying to smile and match Francis’ enthusiasm.“I know.Just understand that I can’t just jump around like you can.”

Francis nodded, still smiling.

They walked down the broad hall towards the back of the house where large windows looked out over the formal rose garden and fountain.Mason didn’t notice that there was a door to the side.The only indication that there was even a door at all was a small thumb latch.Francis indicated for him to open it.It was a little stiff, but Mason got it open.

“That’s not been opened in a while, I’d say.Needs a bit of oil,” Mason commented as he lifted the latch a few times, trying to loosen it up.

“Could you please not bother with that at the moment?”Francis asked, clearly frustrated with Mason’s actions.

Mason chuckled.“Sorry.I always want to fix things, I guess.”

“Come up the stairs.”Francis was already at the top of a very steep, narrow staircase.There was no carpet or banister.It was also very dark, with only a slight glimmer of light that was behind Francis.

Mason climbed the stairs, feeling his way, treading lightly, not sure how solid the steps would be.He’d already experienced falling off a broken step once and didn’t want to repeat it.

“Over here,” Francis called to Mason.“Behind the chimney.”

Mason looked around.There were six dormer windows across the front of the house, letting in some light.They were so covered with dust on the inside, they didn’t let in much light.He noticed that there were four chimneys, but Francis was standing in front of the one towards the back of the house, to the left.

“Okay, now what?”Mason asked.

“There, between the outside wall and the chimney.See the darkest plank?”

Mason knelt down and ran his hand along the wooden floor plank.

“Yes, that is the one.”Francis was kneeling opposite Mason.“Feel between the brick of the chimney and the plank closest to me.”

Mason did as he said and felt something metal.He looked into Francis’ eyes.

“Push it towards me.Use the tip of your finger.”

Mason had to really jam his forefinger into the small crack and he could feel it try to give, but was pretty well stuck.“It won’t move.”

Francis scowled.

Mason held up one finger.“Hold on a minute.”

He looked around the attic, which was full of boxes of all sizes, many of them wooden.Mason rummaged around until he found an old knitting needle.“This should do the trick.”