Suddenly Psychic (Glimmer Lake #1)(68)

Monica’s face was pale. “Oh my God. H-he stalked her. He stalked Grandma Helen.”

“And then he married her,” Robin said.

Mark said, “Do you think he killed Billy?”

Val shook her head. “I can’t tell you that. I didn’t see or feel anything about that. He was mostly focused on Helen.”

“But if Billy was going to take Helen away,” Robin said, “that would be a pretty good reason for Gordon to get rid of Billy.”

“And then rescue Helen.” Mark made air quotes around the word rescue.

Robin went to sit next to Val. “Monica’s right. He stalked her and maybe he got rid of the man she loved. Then he married her and kept her under his thumb for forty years.”

Val leaned on Robin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Robin.”

“Trust me. I have no fond memories of my grandfather. I was eleven when he died, and I don’t even remember being sad. He wasn’t a nice man.” She shook her head. “And Grandma Helen called him kind. She told me he was kind for marrying her.”

Mark knelt down next to Robin. “I think there’s something else we need to talk about.”

“You think we need to tell Grandma about Gordon? We don’t know for sure he did it, we just suspect.”

Mark shook his head. “I’m talking about now. I’m talking about Helen and the fact that you told me Billy couldn’t get near the house because of him.”

“You think Gordon is still in the house,” Monica said. “You think he’s still keeping an eye on Helen.”

“Think about it,” Mark said. “He built that place. It was his monument to himself. And not a single one of us wants to walk up to the third floor.”

“You’re saying Gordon Russell never left,” Robin said. “That he’s still in that house. Watching her. Watching all of us.”

“He was controlling when he was alive, right? Maybe he’s still trying to control things.”

Val’s expression was grim. “Your grandfather may be gone, but in a way he’s still stalking Helen.”





Chapter 25





Robin let Mark drive back to Russell House. Val and Monica followed them. They needed to find out what was going on in the attic, and Robin felt like time wasn’t on their side.

Grace opened the front door before they could reach it. “Where have you been?”

“I had an errand I needed to do this morning.” Robin embraced her mother. “How are you? How’s Grandma?”

Grace looked exhausted as they walked through the front doors. “The same. In and out. She woke up a little a few hours ago and talked with Austin.”

“Yeah?” Robin glanced up the stairs and around the formal areas of the house. The dining room had been taken over by the nursing staff, who kept their computers and some of their bags there. The library was Mark’s domain. And in the formal living room, shoes, backpacks, and various electronics gave evidence of teenagers claiming territory.

The first floor of Russell House had been taken over by the living, but a cool draft gusted down the staircase.

“Be warned,” Grace said. “Mother told Austin that if anyone told him not to pursue his art, they were to be ignored.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “I think she told me the same thing at that age, so I can’t really say anything.”

Grace smiled, but the smile quickly turned to tears. “Robin.”

“Oh Mom.” She hugged Grace again. “We’re not allowed to keep her forever.” Robin blinked back tears. “It doesn’t work that way.”

“I know.”

Hear that, Gordon? It doesn’t work that way. You’re not allowed to keep people if they don’t want you around. Robin glanced up the stairs, and it was almost as if the house knew what she was thinking. A chill crept down her back.

“Mom, is Dad here?”

Grace nodded. “He’s in the kitchen, cooking that lovely chicken-and-barley soup.”

“Oh, that sounds great.” Robin patted her mom’s back and thought fast. “I had a weird thought yesterday.”

“Oh?”

They walked through the dining room and toward the kitchen. “Yeah, I know Dad took all of Grandfather Russell’s things up to the attic after he died. Have you ever gone through that stuff? Would there maybe be old pictures Grandma might want?”

“I went through so much of it when he passed,” Grace said. “All the clothes. His books are still in the library. Most of the things in the attic are keepsakes. Some of his weapons collection. His hunting trophies. Things like that.” She waved a hand. “I don’t think Mother would want any of those things.”

“Huh.”

“Though…” She looked thoughtful. “I do think there were albums or scrapbooks. Things of that nature. Let’s ask your father.” She walked through the kitchen door. “Phil?”

Robin and Mark followed Grace with Monica and Val right behind them.

“Do you feel how cold the entryway is?” Monica asked quietly.

“Yeah. It’s a pretty huge difference,” Val said, “between the entryway by the stairs and the rest of the house.”