Derek steered Carson back toward the garage and I remembered I wanted to talk to Idris about the bronzes.

“Hey, I was wondering if I could ask your grandfather about those bronzes,” I said. “I knocked on the door but no one answered.”

Derek scowled up at the house. “Grandfather is very ill. We’re not entertaining visitors in the house.”

“Oh, okay.” I felt disappointed about the bronzes, but maybe I could find out more about Felicity. “Maybe your mother remembers?”

“Mother?” No, I doubt it. She doesn’t take much of an interest in that stuff.” Derek reached into his pocket. “Thanks for bringing by the photo album. What do I owe you?”

I flapped my hand in the air. “Forget about it. I couldn’t sell it to anyone else, anyway.”

“Great. Then thanks for stopping by.” Derek turned around, dismissing me, and I watched the two of them walk back to the garage.

I had no choice but to get in my car and drive away, disappointment following me like a black cloud.

As the stone mansion grew smaller in my rear view mirror, I got the funny feeling that there was something strange about the Bates family, and it wasn’t just because their house looked like it should be in a horror movie.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

I took a detour on my way back to the bookstore. I wanted to get the box of books I’d left at home so I’d have some new stock for the store.

Pulling into the driveway, I trotted up the farmer’s porch steps and opened the door, expecting to be greeted by an angry Pandora.

The box sat on the kitchen table, right where I’d left it. I hefted it up against my hip, noticing the odd silence in the house.

“Pandora?”

Silence.

She must be really mad. I pictured her silently glaring at me from the living room sofa, or maybe hacking up a hairball on my bed.

I peeked into the living room. No cat, just the sun glinting off the paperweight, which reflected the books from my bookshelf on its curved surface.

Putting down the box, I went over to get the one thing that would bring her running—a can of cat food.

I popped open the top. Usually, the sound would entice her from even the most remote part of the house, but this time she didn’t come.

I made a lot of noise putting the food into a bowl, but still no Pandora. Glancing over at the cat door, I realized she must have gone out.

“Well, I’m sure she can take care of herself,” I said to no one as I picked the box back up and headed for my Jeep.