“That sounds more like dogs than people,” Kate said.
“Or wolves,” Jack added. “Go on.”
“That’s it,” Sara said. “There were six of them. They attended Cambridge University together and came here every weekend and holiday. ‘Pack of strays is what they were,’ the man said.”
“Doesn’t sound like he liked them,” Kate said.
“I don’t think he did, although when he mentioned Diana, his voice got soft.”
“Diana Beardsley.” Jack smiled when Sara looked surprised.
“How did you know—?”
“What about the others?” Kate asked. She didn’t want Sara to know she’d accidently seen the newspaper cutting.
“Bella helped me find the names. She...” Sara sighed. “She didn’t like doing it. But...you know.”
“You paid for the place so she had to,” Jack said.
“I don’t like holding something over someone’s head, but...”
“Couldn’t be helped,” Kate said dismissively. “What did you find out about them?”
“Sean—” She looked at Jack to supply the last name.
“Thorpe,” he said.
“Yes. Sean was the stable manager. He wasn’t actually in the group. He and Diana vanished, never to be seen again.”
“It’s been over twenty years,” Jack said. “And no one has heard anything?”
“That’s one of the first things I want to ask about when they get here.”
“Who are the others and where are they now?” Kate asked.
“Nadine Howland,” Sara said. “She and her father lived next door. Bella said he built a ghastly house.”
“Got an invitation to see it yet?” Jack asked.
“It’s on my list. She married a viscount so it’s now Lady Nadine. There was a man named Clive who was the estate manager. He’s a banker in London now. And a young woman named Willa. I had a really hard time finding her. She was the daughter of an aristocrat and I called the family.”
“You did all this without telling us a word?” Jack sounded hurt.
“What am I supposed to do all day?” Sara shot back. “You think I’m old so I should sit around and watch TV? Look at photo albums and go over my memories? Or—”
“Don’t use the age card on me!” Jack snapped back. “You could have told us what you were planning to do and—”
Kate, always the peacemaker, stepped in. “What happened to Willa?” She glared at Jack to shut up.
“I don’t know. I found her sister in London and called her. She did not want to talk about Willa.”
“Interesting,” Kate said.
“I thought so too. I gave her my email address to give to Willa. I didn’t think I’d hear back. But I did. Willa and I exchanged a few emails, and she said she’d love to come to a reunion, just give her a date.”
“So you don’t know what happened to her?” Jack was mostly over his anger.
“Not a clue.”
“That makes five,” Jack said. “Who’s the last of the Pack?”
Sara took so long to answer that Kate and Jack looked at her in curiosity. Finally, she locked eyes with Jack and said, “Byon Lizmere.”
Jack loudly sucked in his breath.
“Who’s he?” Kate asked.
Jack and Sara were staring at each other.
“Okay, you two,” Kate said. “Stop leaving me out. Who is this guy?”
“Before Last Night. Yesterday is Tomorrow.” Jack’s tone was reverent.
“We saw every one of his plays on Broadway,” Sara said.
Jack hummed a bit of a song. “Is he coming?”
“Yes,” Sara said. “I contacted him through his agent. I didn’t speak directly to Mr. Lizmere, but he messaged me that he’d do anything to find out what really happened that night. He’s driving up from London to be here.” She looked at Jack. “You are going to sing with Byon Lizmere.”
Jack snorted. “I’m not up to his league. Broadway? London theaters? Not even close.”
Both women smiled. For all Jack’s protesting, they heard the desire in his voice. Had his life been different, music would have been part of it. But he gave that up for his family.
Jack looked away. “Okay, maybe. Anything else you want, besides me making a fool of myself?”
“You made friends with the daughter, how about trying with the mother?” Sara said. “Find out what she knows.”
“Mrs. Aiken? Are you crazy? I’d rather wrestle a gator.”
“Jack, my dear, you can charm anyone.” She turned to Kate. “I couldn’t persuade you to rummage in the attics, could I? We have Bella’s full permission to snoop. You can see if there’s anything in there about what happened.”
Kate looked as though Sara had offered her the Key to Heaven. All she could do was nod.
As Sara got off the bed, Jack said, “And what ultrasecret thing are you planning to do? Or are we not supposed to know?”
“I’m taking my camera and a couple of lenses out for a walk. I figure that after all these people arrive, I won’t get ten minutes alone. I’ll see you for dinner with Bella. It’s at seven.” She left the room.
For a few minutes, Kate and Jack sat on the bed facing each other but eyes not meeting.
She knew what he was thinking about. “You’ll do fine,” she said softly.
Jack didn’t want to think about, much less discuss singing for a professional of Byon Lizmere’s caliber. It was his highest dream and scariest nightmare in one.
Sara wasn’t the only one who could manipulate. He wanted to direct Kate’s thoughts in another direction. “Wonder what the attic is like? I bet when Bella bought this place they cleaned it out. But isn’t Bella a relative of the family who built this place? She might have kept a few mementos.”
Kate tightened her lips. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Did Sara say when these people are arriving?”
“If Mrs. Aiken is starting to cook for them, it’s soon.”
“So if I’m going to talk to her—and that seems to be my assignment—maybe I should go now.”
“And you’re sending me off to the attic.” Kate was trying to sound put-upon, but there was so much excitement in her voice that Jack laughed.