Chapter 247

A thin, white-haired woman waved the cane as she quivered with rage. “What are you doing here, Deirdre? Get out this instant and never return!”

A striking brunette woman about Alex’s age hurried into the room and grabbed the cane. “Granny, that’s not Deirdre,” she said. “Come back to your rooms and have a nice cup of tea.”

The elderly woman must be Martha Archer, the Luna of Lycan Square. She may be old and growing frail, but her personality hasn't improved at all with age.

And she tried to hit Amy on the head with that heavy cane because she thought she was Deirdre. Talk about a clue!

Thankfully, Diana sensed the attack and warned me. It was nice to have a guardian angel, even if they were a wolf.

The brunette led Martha out of the room and returned a few moments later with a tea tray.

“Daisy, Amy, I’m terribly sorry about that,” the brunette said. “Sometimes Granny escapes her nurse. Let’s sit down, have a cup of tea, and chat.”

“I …I don’t know,” Amy stammered.

“Please, Amy, it’s safe to stay. Granny won’t be back,” the woman insisted. “Andy told me you girls were here. I’m Amelia Archer. I’m Andy’s older sister and your aunt.”

Amy’s eyes widened even more, and she sat on a club chair against the wall to avoid being attacked from behind.

Amelia began to pour the tea. “I wish I could blame Granny’s behavior on her dementia, but I’m afraid she’s always been a domineering harridan.”

“Did she kill Deirdre?” Amy asked.

Amelia put her hand over her heart and gasped. “Was Deirdre’s body found?”

“No,” I replied.

“I didn’t mean to be ghoulish.” Amelia handed me a cup of tea. “I’ve been waiting for the day my suspicions are confirmed.”

“What suspicions?” I stirred the contents of my cup.

“I’ve always thought poor Deirdre was murdered,” Amelia said. “She loved Andy and her baby.” She smiled at Amy. “She never would have left either of you behind.”

Amy visibly relaxed into the chair.

Andrew was right. Amelia was an ally. It must be difficult for her to live in this house with her crazy grandmother and demanding parents.

I saw no wedding band on her finger, which meant she wasn’t married. But despite being in her mid-forties, she was still a fit, attractive woman with medium brown hair and eyes.

“We were looking at the portrait above the fireplace before ….” Amy’s voice trailed off.

Amelia finished Amy’s sentence. “Before Granny tried to brain you with her cane.”

“Yeah,” Amy grimaced. “What’s her deal?”

“Granny was livid when Andy fell in love with an Omega,” Amelia explained. “She was always worried about the family’s reputation more than our happiness.”

Amy picked up on the bitterness in Amelia’s voice. “Did she stop you from being with someone?”

“There was a man …a Beta whom I cared for a great deal,” Amelia told us. “But a relationship between us wasn’t permitted because I am an Archer.”

“Why didn’t you leave this house and be with him?” Amy asked.

“I would have been penniless and abjured by my family,” she replied. “I wasn’t strong enough to survive it.”

“In this portrait, I recognize you, Martha, Andy, and your parents, but who’s the red-haired girl?” I asked.

“That is the youngest in our family, our sister, Amanda,” she replied. “Amanda married well and lives near your fiancé’s parents.”

Andy burst into the room. His face was flushed, and his eyes looked angry. “My parents refuse to come downstairs and speak to you.”

“That’s okay.” Amy grinned. “Aunt Amelia is giving us tea and the 411.”

“Bless you, Amelia,” Andy said. “I am needed at the office. Could you ….”

“It’s fine, Andy,” Amelie interrupted. “I’m enjoying the girl’s visit. Please go back to work if you must. The company is yours now.”

Andy leaned over the back of the couch and kissed Amelia’s cheek. “Thanks, sis.” Then he gave Amy a side hug and me a wave before going out the door.

After we heard the front door close, Amelia asked, “Now, where were we?”

I pulled the photo and note from my bag and handed them to Amelia. “We’re here because Amy found these in her mailbox.”

Amelia’s hand flew upward to cover her mouth. “Oh, no! Poor Deirdre!”

I took the photo and note from Amelia’s shaking hands before she dropped them and put them back in my bag.

“Do you have any idea who would have wanted to kill her? I asked.

Amelia’s eyes narrowed. “Besides my granny and parents?”

She sighed. “Yes, there are at least three others. There is an old girlfriend of Andy’s, and there's another old Luna who felt her daughter was more worthy to marry an Archer instead of a poor Omega girl.

Amelia’s brows crinkled as she thought. “There was also a Beta bag boy at the market who was in love with Deirdre, even though she never encouraged him.”

I searched for a pen and paper in my bag. “I should write this down.”

“I’ll make a list and text it to you,” Amelia offered.

“That would be great.” I gave her my cell number. “The police won’t look into the note and photo without more proof of a crime.”

Amelia nodded. “I would be glad to help you find that proof. Deidre was a nice girl. Her murderer should be punished.”

“When was the last time you saw Deirdre?” I asked.

“I went to see her and the baby the night before she and Andy planned to elope,” Amelia replied. “I gave her all the cash I had, about two hundred dollars.”

“I left when the nurse told me visiting hours were over,” she added. “I never saw her again, and Amy showed up on our doorstep the next morning.”

“What kind of mood was she in that evening?” I asked.

“Hopeful, but she was a little mad at Andy because he went to a late class,” Amelia replied. “She wanted him to get a job and support her and the baby instead of getting his degree.”

“Andy never mentioned that,” Amy mumbled.

Amelia shrugged. “I remember our conversation distinctly. I tried to tell her how valuable his degree would be in the long run.”

Amelia reached out and examined my moonstone pendant. “This is quite valuable. Pendants like this one are reported to have magical properties. Be careful no one steals it.”

“Amy has Deirdre’s moonstone ring that Andy gave her,” I said.

“I’m sure it’s nothing like this pendant,” Amelia insisted. “I’m afraid I have a luncheon soon and must go.”

We stood and thanked Amelia for talking to us.

“It was my pleasure.” She hugged Amy. “I’m delighted to have met my niece. I hope you’ll both stay in touch.”

Amy returned her embrace. “We will. Maybe you can come to dinner with me at my father’s restaurant sometime.”

Chatting, she walked us to the foyer. I was happy for Amy to have discovered a wonderful new relative.

“I’ve eaten at Chef Gray’s restaurant,” Amelia said. “I’d love to meet you there sometime. Call me. Daisy has my number.”

“If you think of anything else that could help our investigation, please let me know,” I said on our way out the front door.

Amy and I were silent on the walk back to my car. Diana was not.

“The Archers give me a bad feeling, Daisy,” Diana said. “Evil lives in that house, and I can feel the echo of something terrible that happened within those walls.”

“The house is a bit creepy, and Martha is scary,” I agreed. “But Andy and Amelia are okay. Plus, I need to help Amy solve the mystery of Deirdre’s disappearance.”

“Then you must be careful. If someone murdered Deirdre, they wouldn't hesitate to kill again to protect their secret.”

“I’ll be careful,” I agreed and climbed into the driver's seat of my Mercedes.

“Do you mind if we stop to see Lana next?” I asked Amy. “I want to talk to her about the Archers and my pendant. I don’t want to wear it so casually if it’s very valuable.”

“Sure, I haven’t seen Lana in a while,” Amy agreed.

I pulled away from the curb while looking in my door mirror. There was a silver car pulling out down the street. It followed us closely.

“Amy, keep an eye on that silver car behind us,” I requested. “It pulled out right behind us and is on my tail.”

I turned right and then left, but the car stayed behind me.

“Daisy, do you think it’s that man again?”

“I don’t know, but the car is coming up fast behind us.” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “Hang on, Amy, I think they’re going to ram us!”