Penmort Castle (Ghosts and Reincarnation #1)(123)

That’s when she started to freak out that all Cash’s employees were going to think she was a bad influence on him.

She stood beside Cash as her posse trooped into the conference room, greeting Cash and Abby as they passed. All except Angus who shook Cash’s hand so hard, Abby’s body also shook as Cash was still holding her hand.

“Angus McPherson,” he declared when he was done shaking Cash’s hand, then he puffed out his chest and boomed, “Proud to be working for ye, Cash Fraser!”

Cash stared at Angus a moment then tilted his head down to look at Abby, brows raised, and she scrunched her nose at him.

Luckily, Angus didn’t take offense to Cash’s non-greeting and headed into the conference room.

Abby started to follow but Cash halted her with a tug on her hand. She looked up at him in time to see his face disappear by her ear.

“Somehow, I think you owe me for this,” he murmured there.

Somehow, she thought he was right.

His head came back and when she caught his eyes, she winced and shrugged which, fortunately, made him grin.

When Cash and Abby entered and Cash closed the door, Abby noted they were all partaking of the buffet like they’d just come off a month-long forced fast.

When they had their plates piled high, they sat around the conference table. Cash was at the head with no food, Abby to his right and she’d decided to take her cues from him and also not load up a plate (even though the buffet looked really good, Cash didn’t do things in half-measures that was certain).

Cash didn’t waste any time and once everyone was settled he immediately asked, “Who’s in charge?”

“I am,” both Angus and Cassandra said at the same time.

“That would be me,” Mrs. Truman said over both of them.

Cash’s body stayed facing forward, just his head turned to Abby and his brows went up.

“Um,” Abby started, looked amongst the faces, trying to decide who would take the least offense then she tried to be diplomatic, “let’s say Angus as he’s had more experience with this type of thing.”

Mrs. Truman let out an affronted “humph”, Cassandra sat back smiling and Angus leaned forward happily.

Cash put both elbows on the table, linked his fingers, rested his chin on them and looked at Angus.

“Tell me your plan,” he ordered.

Angus glanced at Cassandra then said, “We’re thinking the showdown will be Saturday night.”

There was silence as Cash waited for Angus to say more.

Angus said no more.

Cash closed his eyes, pulled breath in through his nose and, when he opened his eyes again, they were aimed at Abby.

Abby pressed her lips together.

Cash’s eyes went back to Angus and he suggested with barely restrained patience, “Perhaps you’d like to fill in the blanks.”

Angus shoved an entire chicken goujon in his mouth and shifted in his seat excitedly while he chewed.

Not done chewing, he stated, “See, we’re thinking tonight, we’ll give her a chance to get settled in, not Abby, Vivianna. Make her think we’re not going to try anything. We’ll wait for Saturday night to draw her out.”

“And how is Abby going to stay safe from this evening through to tomorrow?” Cash asked.

Cassandra leaned forward. “That’s where you come in.”

Cash looked at Cassandra but didn’t speak.

It was Honor who spoke next and she informed them, “I didn’t just find Lorna’s diaries,” Cash’s eyes shifted to her and she continued. “Two of the other victims had journals in the library too. I’ve had those for years as well.”

Cassandra picked up there. “Angus, Honor and I have been studying the journals and researching the past murders. What we found is that Vivianna doesn’t appear, nor is she active, when the master of the house is with the victim. Therefore, if you stay close to her side, Abby should be safe.”

“And what if we get separated?” Cash enquired.

“You make sure she’s with Mummy,” Fenella put in.

“Nicola?” Cash asked.

“Vivianna doesn’t do anything when Mummy’s around,” Fenella told Cash.

“Do you know that for certain?” Cash queried and when Fenella looked blank, Cash turned to Cassandra. “And are you certain she won’t be active when I’m with Abby?”

“Not one hundred percent certain, no,” Angus cut in, picked up a salmon and cream cheese sandwich quarter, shoved the whole thing in his mouth and went on while chewing, “pretty certain, though.”

Cash’s head cocked sharply to the side before he told Angus, “Pretty certain isn’t good enough.”

“Abby will have protection,” Cassandra noted. “I’ll give it to her and Fenella, Honor and I’ll take care of your rooms.”

“Take care of our rooms?” Cash asked.

“Protection spell,” Cassandra replied, “some special pixie dust sprinkled here and there, a few incantations.” When Cash’s jaw got tight, Cassandra’s voice dipped low. “I know how it sounds but, I promise you, I also know what I’m doing.”

“She does, Cash,” Abby whispered when Cash looked far from convinced but Cash didn’t take his eyes from Cassandra.