Deception at Dark Hall (The Briony Martin Mystery Series) Read Online Free PDF

lit one up. She recalled Paige telling her he didn’t smoke. What else did her best friend not know about her brother-in-law?
     The Coronet appeared from around the corner within moments. The same valet who had driven it away earlier parked it in the circular driveway in front of them and jumped out of the driver’s seat. Daniel flicked the cigarette into the gravel and stubbed it out with the toe of his shoe.
    The valet first opened the passenger car door for Briony. Then he jogged around to Daniel’s side and opened that door. “Good night, Mr. Collier,” he said, tipping his cap as Daniel entered the vehicle.
    “Good night, Dawson.Thank you.”
    Briony saw him stuff a bill into the valet’s hand.
    “Thank you, Mr. Collier.”
    As Daniel drove through the gate and into the street, she realized he’d left Dark Hall without giving Sharlyn Dark any money. Perhaps she’d send an invoice.
    The streets were dark and deserted on the return drive to Paige and Mark’s house. Like a gentleman, Daniel allowed her time to regain her composure. He waited until they were almost to the house before breaking the silence between them. He asked why she’d gotten upset at hearing her brother’s voice. “I thought you went with me tonight hoping to make contact with him.”
    She could hardly tell Daniel she’d gone only as a favor to Paige and to try to somehow convince him that Miss Dark may not be what she seemed. But she was tired and confused as to what had occurred. She didn’t want to explain anything right now—not her motive for going to Dark Hall in the first place, nor the unsettling feeling in her stomach that had caused her to flee from that room.
    Had her twin really made contact with her through Miss Dark? Briony had no idea. But the truth was that the blind woman spooked her. There was no way she could have known Briony had a brother or that he’d died five years ago. The only possible explanation was that Daniel had called her ahead of time and told her about Ben.
    She stared at his profile and wondered what his motive would be in doing such a thing. But more than his possible duplicity, it was that gesture—the tugging of the earlobe—that caused her alarm. “I’d rather not discuss it, if you don’t mind,” she answered, hoping he’d be polite enough to drop the subject. He was.
    When they entered through the unlocked back door of the Collier home, Paige met them in the kitchen. She slid a finger to her lips.
    “Shhh. Mark and the baby are both asleep already.”
    Daniel hung his hat on the peg next to the door. Then he whispered good night to both of them and strode out of the kitchen before Paige could ask him any questions. His room was evidently on the first level. Briony heard his footsteps cross the living room floor and then the click of a closing door.
    “Well. What did you discover about Dark Hall and that woman?” Paige asked quietly. Her eyes lit up with curiosity.
    Briony sighed. “Dark Hall is a strange place. The good news is that I didn’t see any signs of drug use. The room where the séance was held smelled of patchouli, however. Daniel has probably brought the scent home on his clothes, which is most likely the reason you’ve thought he’s been smoking something illegal. Also, Miss Dark has an assistant by the name of Lee that appears to be a man but is actually a woman. I’m not sure if Daniel knows that or not.”
    Paige’s eyes widened. “How odd.”
    “And there’s a weird tapestry hanging on the wall where the séance was conducted.” She described it.
    “That sounds perverted.” Paige wrinkled her nose. “It could be symbolic of witchcraft, don’t you think?”
    “I suppose.”
    “Did the woman make poor Daniel think he was speaking to Monica again?”
    “No, but she did conjure up the relatives of several other people in attendance.” She used air quotes when she said the word conjure. “They all seemed to believe they were really speaking to their loved