Wait Until Midnight Read Online Free Page A

unrelenting lines.
    "Both of whom are quite elderly and frail," he said flatly. "I do not believe that either of them possesses the strength or determination necessary to crush the skull of a younger, stronger person with a poker, let alone overturn a heavy table and a number of chairs."
    She hesitated. "You spoke with them?"
    "There was no need to interview them personally. I made some discreet observations and inquiries in the streets where they live. I am convinced that neither of them is involved in this business."
    "Well, I suppose it is rather unlikely," she admitted. "Tell me what occurred in the course of the séance," he said quietly.
    "There is not much to tell." She widened her hands. "Just the usual sort of rappings and tappings. One or two manifestations. Some financial advice from the spirit world"
    "Financial advice?" he asked with unexpected sharpness.
    "Yes, Mr. McDaniel was told that he would soon be offered an excellent investment opportunity. It was nothing out of the ordinary. Sitters are often informed by the spirits that they may be in line for an unexpected inheritance or that they will receive money from some unanticipated source."
    "I see." He turned around slowly and looked at her with an expression that would not have been out of place on the face of the devil himself. "So the subject of money arose, did it? "
    She clenched the chair back so tightly that the blood \v as squeezed out of her knuckles. She could scarcely breathe. Was he going to go to the police to lodge a charge of murder against her and her aunts?
    She knew now that the three of them were in grave danger. They were all innocent, but she did not doubt for a moment that if a gentleman of Adam Grove's obvious power And position accused them of murder, they would be in desperate straits.
    They had no choice but to flee London immediately, she decided, thinking quickly. Their only hope was to disappear again, just as they had three years ago. She tried to re-call how much money was on hand in the house. As soon as Adam Grove departed, she would send Mrs. Plummer out to obtain a train schedule. How quickly could they pack?
    Adam's black brows came together in a heavy line. "Are you all right, Mrs. Fordyce? You look as if you are going to faint "
    Rage spiked through her, briefly suppressing her panic. "You have threatened my life, sir, and the lives of my aunts. How did you expect me to react?"
    He frowned. "What are you talking about? I have made no threats, madam"
    "You have as much as accused one or all of us of murder. If you take your suspicions to the police, we will be arrested and thrown into prison. We will hang."
    "Mrs. Fordyce, you are allowing your imagination to run away with your powers of reason and logic. I may harbor some suspicions but there remains the little matter of evidence."
    "Bah. None of the three of us can prove that she did not
    return after the séance to murder the medium. It would be our word against yours, sir, and we are both well aware that three ladies in our modest circumstances who lack social connections would not stand a chance if a man of your rank and wealth chose to point the finger of blame at us."
    "Get hold of yourself, woman. I am in no mood to deal with a case of hysteria."
    Her fury gave her strength. "How dare you tell me not to succumb to hysteria? My aunts and I are facing the gallows because of you, sir."
    "Not quite," he growled.
    "Yes, quite."
    "Hell and damnation. I have had enough of these theatrics." He took a step toward her.
    "Stop." She gripped the back of the chair with both hands and swung it around so that it formed a barrier between them. "Do not come any closer. I will scream bloody murder if you take one more step. Mrs. Plummer and the neighbors will hear me, I promise you."
    He halted, exhaling heavily. "Kindly calm yourself, Mrs. Fordyce. This is all very wearying, not to mention a waste of everyone's time."
    "It is impossible for me to be calm in the face of such dire