Mischief in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #2)(85)

“Is he my brother?”

Sabine nodded. “I think so.”

“And you? Why did that man say you weren’t Adam’s child?”

“Because I’m not. Frances was my mother. Adam and his wife took me to save me from the Fortescues and oh, hell, it’s a long screwed-up story that I’d rather explain after a hot bath and at least ten hours of sleep.”

Mildred nodded and gave her another hug. “Of course, dear. What a shame. Like either of us cared about the Fortescues or their money.”

“You might have to start caring,” Sabine said.

“I’ll deal with that when William dies.”

Sabine glanced over at Beau, then looked back at Mildred. “You’re right. No use inviting trouble.”

“You’re one to talk.” Mildred glanced over at Beau, then back at Sabine, a smile on her face. “If you could have just seen the two of you, busting in here like something out of a movie.” She leaned close to Sabine and whispered, “The two of you together looked right.”

Sabine brushed a single tear from her face with the back of her hand. “Well, you always told me not to contradict my elders…”



Three hours later, Sabine crawled into her bed at the hotel, certain she was going to sleep for a week. Mildred was tucked in her bed at the hotel, absolutely refusing to stay in the hospital another minute. The hospital staff didn’t argue over the release, probably glad she was going and worried about being sued for letting killers have free access to the patients. Maryse was asleep on her couch, refusing to give up her patrol duties, especially after passing out on the job.

Mildred had given her statement to the Mudbug police and explained how Raissa walked in after the fact, but Sabine knew she was lying about that part. Once the dust had settled on all of this, Sabine was going to get the truth out of her. She turned off the lamp and pulled up the covers. She was just about to doze off when she heard the connecting door open.

“Sabine?” Beau whispered. “Are you asleep?”

“About two seconds from being.” She propped herself up on her elbow and looked over at him. “Did you get everything settled at the Big House of Horrors?” Beau had left for the Fortescue estate right after the police arrived at the hospital. Without a sane person in the mix, he was afraid the state police wouldn’t have any idea what to do with a murdering socialite, a dead husband, an insane daughter, the terrified housekeeper, and the body in the backyard. Sabine only prayed that Helena hadn’t decided to “help” while the police were there.

Beau walked over to the bed and sat next to her. “It’s a real mess over there. Even the state police were blown away by all of it. Catherine’s still tight-lipped, but Adelaide is singing like a bird. They had to sedate Frances again and cart her off to the hospital. I’m thinking she might need permanent care.”

Sabine’s mind flashed back to Frances, digging in the garden in the middle of a hurricane. The expression on her face was a mixture of so many things—fear, revulsion, horror, and not an ounce of sanity left. “After all that, it’s no wonder.”

Beau placed his hand on Sabine’s. “I’m afraid you don’t know everything. Hell, I’m starting to wonder if anyone does. That place was a regular house of horrors during Catherine’s reign.” He paused for a moment, the indecision on his face clear.

“What is it, Beau? There’s nothing that could shock me now.”

Beau nodded. “I know. And this isn’t shocking as much as it makes sense but is incredibly sad.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “The police found another body in the backyard with William…an infant. I think Frances had twins.”

Sabine’s eyes clouded with tears. “Twins…yes, that would make sense, given the family history. I guess Adam couldn’t save the other baby.”

“I guess not. It’s all so tragic. I mean, obviously Catherine deserves no sympathy. She’s been evil from the beginning, but Frances’s mind eaten away by that horrible disease, William killed just because Catherine wanted more status and money than Lloyd would inherit, and Martin’s mother murdered and her babies stolen. Then Adam taking you and hiding from his family because he knew it was the only chance for you to live.” Beau squeezed Sabine’s hand. “Adam must have been an incredible man.”

Sabine brushed a tear from her cheek. “I think he was, and my mother…well, the woman I thought…oh, you know. I mean, she had to know what they were doing and she agreed to it to save me. They were still my parents in every sense of the word for as long as they lived.”

Beau nodded. “They loved you enough to die for you. I’d say that definitely makes them mom and dad.” Beau leaned down and wrapped his arms around Sabine. “I am so sorry, Sabine. I expected something bad when I took your case. That’s why I wanted to stick around even after we found your family. I didn’t want you working with someone inexperienced with these things.”

Sabine gave a single laugh. “You mean inexperienced with an evil grandmother, a crazy aunt, and a gun-toting ghost?”

Beau released Sabine a bit and pulled back enough to smile down at her. “The ghost was more than anyone would want to take. I gave her a ride back into Mudbug. She was in my truck and passed me a note. I had to stop at the convenience store and buy her a dozen hotdogs and a whole box of moon pies. I didn’t think the dead were supposed to be so expensive.”