Page 87 of The Condemned (Echoes from the Past #6)

SEVENTY-FOUR

London, England

Quinn stared at the white-painted ceiling of the bedroom, her heart heavy with unbearable sadness.

She could never forget the horror she had just experienced, or erase Mary’s suffering from her memory.

She’d heard of trepanning, of course, but had never witnessed anything as barbaric or inhuman as this.

Surprisingly, many patients had survived the procedure, and it had still been in use as recently as the nineteenth century, maybe even well into the twentieth century, until it was replaced by modern-day neurosurgery, performed while the patient was under anesthetic and using a power drill to open the skull instead of a sharp-toothed tool with a crank, similar to a can opener.

She had no doubt Rhys would move heaven and earth to find a surviving example of the archaic tool to use in the episode and demonstrate how the procedure worked.

“Why so glum?” Gabe asked as he came into the bedroom to dress for work. He smiled at Alex, who’d just woken up and rolled onto his tummy to peer between the bars of his cot. Gabe lifted him out and handed him to Quinn, who cuddled him protectively.

“I just experienced a trepanning. It was awful, Gabe. Unspeakable. I’m reminded each and every day how lucky I am to live in this century, especially as a woman.”

“It was no walk in the park for the men either, but I take your point,” Gabe replied. “So, is that what killed her?”

“Colin believes Mary was alive when she went into labor, which would mean she survived the procedure. ”

“There are documented cases of coffin births where mother and child were both deceased at the time of the birth. The infant was expelled from the mother’s body by a build-up of gasses,” Gabe said as he buttoned his shirt.

“Perhaps Mary was spared the horror of having to deliver her baby while entombed.”

“I would tend to agree with you, except for one glaring flaw in your argument. Had Mary been dead at the time of delivery, her remains would lie flat in the coffin. Mary’s skeleton was on its side, mouth wide open, head thrown back, hands crossed over the belly, and legs bent.”

“I forgot about that,” Gabe admitted. He selected a tie and held it up for Quinn’s approval.

“Yes, that one will do nicely,” she said absentmindedly. “Mary survived the trepanning, I’m sure of it. God, poor woman. What a way to go.”

Quinn got out of bed, pulled on her dressing gown, and lifted Alex into her arms. He was already smacking his lips, reminding his parents that it was time for breakfast. Gabe kissed Alex’s silky cheek, then gave Quinn a tender kiss.

“Quinn, Mary’s been gone for nearly four hundred years.

Whatever she went through is long over. Don’t let it affect you.

You must remain emotionally detached if you plan to continue sharing these stories. ”

“Easy for you to say,” Quinn muttered.

“Just trying to help,” Gabe replied as he called out to Emma to get her shoes and coat on.

Quinn saw them off and went into the kitchen to feed Alex and make herself something to eat.

After breakfast, she’d stop by the bank before heading over to see Jo.

She’d had an idea, and she hoped it would work.

Quinn bought a bunch of flowers to brighten Jo’s flat and picked up a few essentials in case Seth hadn’t had time to run out to the shops.

She could make sandwiches for lunch, and Jo was bound to need tea and milk.

She took the tube to Jo’s flat, an experience Alex seemed to enjoy, and rang the bell.

Jo opened the door, a happy smile on her face, especially when she caught sight of Alex in his pram. She wore black tights and an oversized cream-colored wool jumper, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She even wore a bit of makeup, which did wonders to hide her pallor.

“How’re you feeling, sis?” Quinn asked as she handed her the flowers.

“Much better. It’s nice to be home. It’s also nice not to be alone,” she added as she reached for a vase and filled it with water. “Seth arrived at seven, bearing pastries and freshly brewed coffee.”

“Where’s he now?” Quinn asked.

“He went out to do some shopping. I see you had the same idea.”

“I thought I’d make some sandwiches,” Quinn replied as she handed Jo the shopping bag and lifted Alex out of his pram. She removed his snowsuit and hat and ruffled his flattened hair.

“God, he’s gorgeous,” Jo gushed. “May I hold him?”

“Of course.” Quinn handed Jo the baby, and Jo held him carefully, as if he were made of glass. She sat down on the sofa and settled Alex in her lap.

“My name is Jo,” she said to him. “I’m your aunt. Aunt Jo. I like the sound of that,” she added, giving Quinn a quivering smile. “I never imagined I’d have nieces and nephews. I can’t wait to meet Emma. And Gabe.”

“You have quite a few people to meet.”

“I’m so looking forward to meeting Logan and Jude, but I must admit, I’m a little nervous. Do you think they’ll resent me for not wanting to meet Sylvia? ”

“Do what feels right to you, Jo. Logan and Jude will understand, given my own rocky relationship with our mother.”

Jo had opened her mouth to reply when the doorbell buzzed. “That must be Seth.” She pressed the buzzer and a minute later there was a knock on the door. Jo pulled it open to find a young man bearing a huge bouquet of flowers.

“Delivery,” he announced unnecessarily.

“Well, those certainly put my flowers to shame. Who are they from?”

Jo’s smile lit up the room. She smelled the flowers and slid the card into the pocket of her jumper. “They’re from Rhys. To welcome me home. How sweet.”

Quinn laughed. “I strongly suspect the man himself will be appearing very soon with a large tin of baked goods. He’s good for that.”

“I hope so,” Jo replied, blushing furiously. “I like baked goods.”

“And you like Rhys,” Quinn replied with a silly grin. “I actually have something for you as well.” She’d collected the jewelry from the bank before heading to Jo’s flat.

Quinn opened her bag and took out a rectangular velvet box, which she held out to Jo. “These pearls belonged to our grandmother Rae. She left them to me, but I want you to have them. I got to meet her and talk to her; that’s enough of a gift. I think she’d want you to have them.”

Jo’s eyes filled with tears as she accepted the box.

Nestled on a bed of blue velvet was the pearl set Rae had left for Quinn.

Quinn held her breath as Jo beheld the jewelry.

Luminescent and perfectly matched in size, the pearls glowed in the light of the winter sun that streamed through the window, and the diamond flower that adorned the choker sparkled and dazzled with its delicate perfection.

The matching earrings twinkled among the velvet folds.

“It’s a gorgeous set, Quinn, but I can’t accept it. She left it for you. I don’t have much occasion to wear something this posh anyhow.”

“Won’t you at least try it on?” Quinn cajoled, watching Jo intently.

Jo shook her head. “I’d rather not.” She shut the box and handed it back to Quinn. It was so fleeting, Quinn might not have noticed it had she not been looking for it, but there it was—the sliding away of the eyes, the sharp intake of breath, the sudden nervousness.

“Are you afraid to touch them?” Quinn asked, her heartrate increasing as she waited for Jo’s answer. Jo looked like she was about to issue a flat-out denial, then shook her head, as if an internal argument was raging in her mind.

“Yes, I am. I get these flashes sometimes,” she muttered. “They’re disconcerting. I’ve had them since I was a child.”

“You see the people the items belong to?” Quinn persisted.

“I suppose. The visions never last long, just a moment or two, but I hate them. They frighten me.” Jo’s eyes widened with dawning understanding. “You experience it too.”

“Yes, and so does Brett. I see the lives of the people I investigate.”

Jo’s mouth opened in shock. “You mean, Echoes from the Past ? Those episodes are not based solely on an educated guess and diligent research? You actually know what happened to those people?”

Quinn nodded. “I do.”

“Does Rhys know?” Jo asked .

“Yes, Rhys knows. And Gabe, but no one else. In my line of work, it’s best to keep this to myself, or my credibility will come into question and there will be those who will troll me on social media and accuse me of being a fraud.”

Jo exhaled noisily. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.

I’ve always thought there was something wrong with me.

I’ve learned to avoid touching anything that might have belonged to the dead.

I haven’t experienced a flashback in years.

I am tempted to touch the pearls,” Jo confessed.

“It’s the closest I can come to meeting Rae and learning something of that side of my family. ”

“Take them, then. Seth would be pleased.”

“Does he possess the same ability?” Jo asked.

“No, he doesn’t seem to. It must have skipped a generation.”

“What about Rae? Was she psychic, do you think?” Jo asked, still clutching the box.

“Rae married into the family. She wasn’t a Besson by birth. The gift is passed down the Besson line. I was able to trace it to our great-great-great-grandmother, who came to America from Trinidad on a slave ship. There’s no way to know how many generations it goes back before her.”

“Oh my God. Of course. I saw the episode about Madeline and Clara several times. I just never imagined it had anything to do with me personally. I wonder if Clara’s sons were psychic as well.”

“Very likely, but we’ll never know for certain. Clara’s sons and their families must have been freed after the Civil War, and without a surname, they were impossible to trace. They vanished into the mists of history, their stories with them.”

Jo nodded. “That makes sense. I know you tried your best.” The ringing of the doorbell put an end to their conversation .

“Seth is back,” Jo said as she stowed the box in a drawer.

“You know, I’d never believe it possible to be this happy, especially after being blown up and shot at, but I am,” she said with an impish smile.

“I don’t need pearls or flowers, or even baked goods.

I just need to know that you will always be in my life. ”

Quinn wrapped Jo in a warm hug. She was happy too, not because Jo shared her gift, but because they’d been able to talk about it openly and trust each other.

Now there were no more secrets between them, and they could move forward without the sword of duplicity hanging over their necks.

Finally, they broke apart, and Jo went to open the door.

Seth stepped into the flat, bringing the smell of snow with him.

He carried several shopping bags, and his cheeks were ruddy with cold.

“Quinny, nice to see you. And, Alex, what a treat!” Seth cried as he kissed the baby.

“You want to say hello to Grandpa?” Seth crooned.

“Tonight, I’m making dinner for my girl,” he said as he bounced Alex on his knee and made him giggle.

“I couldn’t find half the ingredients I needed to make her a real Cajun gumbo, so I’ll make fried chicken instead.

Jo will taste the real thing when she comes to Louisiana this summer.

Would be nice if you could join her, Quinn. ”

Quinn smiled. She hadn’t thought she’d ever set foot in New Orleans again after what had happened to her there, but suddenly, returning didn’t seem as traumatic. Perhaps she would visit Seth in Louisiana, and she’d even go and visit Madeline’s grave. She wouldn’t be ruled by her fears.

“How about I make you two some sandwiches for lunch?” Quinn asked.

“Sounds good to me,” Seth replied. “Never met a sandwich I didn’t like.

” Seth grinned and raised an eyebrow in a comical expression, as if something awful had just occurred to him.

“Now, you wouldn’t be making us fish paste, or cheese and pickle—a combination I just don’t get.

Or marmite?” he joked. “That stuff reminds me of shoe polish. ”

“Don’t worry. I’m not out to assassinate your taste buds. I will make you a very American ham and cheese sandwich. Jo can have whatever she likes. And then I have to dash.”

“Won’t you stay for fried chicken?” Seth asked. “I love having you both here with me.”

“I’d like to, but I have an appointment at two. You two enjoy.”

“Oh, we will,” Seth promised as he lifted Alex over his head and spun him around, making him squeal with delight.