“You’d tried before?” Sara asked.
“I sent half a dozen letters to Oxley Manor,” Diana said. “I never received a reply.”
“Of course not,” Sara said. “I’m sure Nicky or Bertram or Mrs. Aiken saw the letters and threw them in the fire.”
“So they knew you were alive,” Jack said.
“I would imagine so.” Diana lowered her head. “We should have put the money in a bank account and waited for Sean to claim it. But we were desperate.”
“Understandable,” Sara said.
“What did you buy?” Byon asked. “Something wonderful or were you sane and sensible?”
“Both. We bought a farm. Good land, a few horses. We sold produce to a few stores. We...” She trailed off. “We have never been rich.”
Sara looked at Chris—big beautiful, blond, gleaming with good health. “Looks to me like you’re fabulously wealthy.”
“I agree,” Diana said, and Chris smiled.
“I agree, too,” Teddy said loudly. “Very fabulous!”
The way she said it was so suggestive, so downright sexy, that everyone laughed. It was a good break from the horror of what was around them.
* * *
After the night of the play, Willa delighted in telling them her story of starting Renewal. She left out no details.
“It gets bigger every time she tells it,” Jack said.
“It is big business,” Sara said. “Bigger than one person can handle. And have a life, that is.”
“You said what is on my mind,” Kate said.
They smiled at each other.
“I know that look,” Jack said. “What devious thing are you two planning?”
“Willa needs help,” Kate said. “Someone who can organize.”
“And be elegant while doing it.”
Jack looked stern. “Willa’s business is none of yours. She can handle her own life.”
Kate patted him on the chest. “You’re so cute when you act like you’re in charge.” She left the room.
Sara patted his arm. “I bet Bella has lots of tools you can play with.” She followed Kate into the hall.
Behind them, Jack was shaking his head. “DGI,” he said loudly. “Don’t Get Involved. It’s a good motto. Use it.”
The women were too far away to hear him—or they didn’t want to.
Twenty-Seven
Jack was glad to stay out of whatever the women were planning. Instead, he gave his attention to Bella. They all felt sorry for her. Her beautiful hotel was again in the news, only this time was much worse. Skeleton Found, the headlines read. The Graveyard at Oxley. Another Murder at Oxley. Angry Spirits Invade Oxley.
They were able to keep the reporters off the grounds, but they were circling the estate, like carrion birds waiting to feast.