“People like her can’t stay in one place too long. They promise people will earn a fortune on the schemes Madame predicts, so they can’t afford to be around when everything goes bust. Imagine if a dozen people all came after her at the same time.”

“Oh my, the newspapers would get wind of it for sure.”

“If the victims weren’t too embarrassed, but someone would probably go to the police, at least. Then it would all come out, and Madame would have to have vanished.”

Anna sighed. “I just get so tired of hearing about the messages poor David is sending me.”

“What kind of messages?”

“That I should take the séances more seriously and accompany Mother and invite my friends.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Maybe Freddie would enjoy one.”

Anna scowled. “Freddie is a faithless woman.”

“So it appears. Still, she might enjoy a séance.”

“She’s poor as a church mouse, though, and I can hardly afford Mother’s fees, much less mine and Freddie’s.”

“If everything goes as planned, you should be reimbursed.”

“I’ll hope for the best. In the meantime, I’ll keep Freddie away from séances. I just wish there was something I could do to help.”

“You can help us celebrate when everything is over.”

“Mother won’t be happy, though.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. She might be relieved.”

“Do you think so?”

“Let’s hope. You, at least, will be relieved.”

“I will. I’ll just be glad when it’s all said and done.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Be careful what you wish for.”

—

Cybil had arranged to meet Mr. Waterson during her lunch break on Monday. He had actually offered to treat her at a café near the college, but he frowned when she entered the café carrying nothing but her purse.

She took her seat and said, “I can see from your expression that you’re wondering where the money is.”

He managed a smile. “I didn’t think it would all fit into your purse. Did your attorney convince you not to take it in cash?”

“It’s not that.” Cybil picked up her napkin and nervously began to refold it. “You see—”

But before she could make him see, the waitress came to take their orders. When she was done, Waterson turned back to Cybil. “You were saying?”

Cybil sighed. “Well, it’s so embarrassing, but it looks like I won’t be receiving my inheritance as quickly as I had hoped.”

Waterson wasn’t pleased but he managed a concerned expression. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I think I told you the inheritance was from my uncle. He . . . he also had a son, but his son was somewhat of a disappointment to him.”

“A black sheep?” Waterson offered helpfully.

“Exactly, and extremely irresponsible with money. Uncle chose to disinherit him completely and give his entire estate to me. He specifically asked me to use his money for good works.”