Wilmington, NC 03 - Murder On The Ghost Walk

dated from the Civil War.
    As a season ticket holder, I regularly attend ed the traveling road shows and local little theatre productions were such hits here. I paused to study photographs of Lillian Russell, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa -- celebrated performers who had starred at the Thalian.
    I wondered if Sherman had been Reggie Campbell's broker? If he had been, surely he'd have known Reggie was missing. No wonder Teddy accused him. Money was involved.
    What had become of the Campbell fortune? Reggie's father had inherited a fortune from his father. Everyone knew Reggie was rich. How was it no one noticed Reggie and Shelby had stopped spending money? Surely the detectives were following the money trail.
    I looked around for Gordon and Cecily Cushman but didn't see them. They were another couple Nick needed to talk to.
    As I was examining Edwin Booth's portrait, Sara Beth Franks joined me. "I don't appreciate your siccing that detective on us, Ashley. You always were too nosey for your own good, hanging around Melanie and all of us when you were little."
    I stared her down. "Whether you appreciate it or not, Sara Beth, someone killed Reggie and Shelby. Nick's investigating and he's got a right to ask questions."
    I expected another insult, instead tears sprang into Sara Beth's eyes and she turned and fled. Now what was that all about? These people bewildered me. I should have stayed at home. I knew coming here was a mistake. All anyone wanted to talk about was the murders and how I'd discovered the remains.
    I opened the Parquet Left door and escaped into the shadowy theater. The door did not close properly ; it was warped. What an unpleasant person Sara Beth had become. The many loud voices were giving me a headache. As soon as I could manage it, I was out of here, I promised myself. Yet, in the empty theatre, the noisy chatter was muffled by the thick door even if it did not fit snugly. I sipped champagne and looked around.
    I loved this beautiful old theatre. Thalian Hall has its share of ghosts too. Three thespians. It was common knowledge they were shy. They wouldn't show themselves tonight. The noisy crowd had sent them into hiding just as it had me.
    OK , Wilkes, I told myself sternly, face the real reason you're not enjoying yourself tonight! Tomorrow, you and Melanie are moving Mama into Magnolia Manor. As soon as I could get away, I'd stop by her house, help Nellie tuck her in. Poor Mama, she didn't know it was the last time she'd be sleeping in her own bed.
    I let my gaze wander over the architecture. The proscenium arch gleamed richly with ornate gold-leaf carvings. The kidney-shaped first gallery offered exceptional views of the stage. My eye traveled from painted friezes and murals to fluted pilasters with gilt capitals that supported the domed ceiling.
    The house lights were dim, enhancing the rococo splendor. On the stage, musicians were assembling, snapping on reading lamps, tuning instruments. Later, we would be treated to show tunes from the best Broadway musicals.
    Behind me, the door bumped. Uh-oh, was someone coming in? I moved into the back row and sat down in the aisle seat.
    Outside the door, a man and woman quarreled. Shamelessly, I tilted my head toward the crack in the door.
    "This is no time to pull out! Not with the expenses I'm incurring on that house."
    I'd know that overbearing voice anywhere.
    "I'm in way over my head, Mirabelle," a man said. "You've got to listen. I've already lost more money than I can afford on your schemes"
    Who was that? I peered through the crack but only saw a dark suit and the back of a man's head.
    "They are not schemes!" Mirabelle hissed. "A product line is just the next logical step in my plan. It's a money-maker. Guaranteed."
    "Guaranteed? Sure, you're planning to build an empire but I'm the one putting up the money. And it's not even mine, it's Cecily's. Why don't you use your own money if this product line is such a sure thing?"
    Cecily? Gordon?
    "Don't you dare take that tone with me, Gordon Cushman. You know my money's all tied up in that house."
    Gordon Cushman! And Mirabelle? Oh ho!
    "That was a mistake. That house is bad luck. Just see what happened to Reggie and Shelby. And people are saying it's haunted."
    "And that works to my advantage, Gordon darling. Nothing intrigues people like a haunted house. Buying that house was one of the smartest moves I ever made. My show is going national and it's crucial it be telecast from the perfect