Deception at Dark Hall (The Briony Martin Mystery Series) by Stacey Coverstone Page A

like to hear my theory, Mr. Yannatos?”
    He clasped his hands behind his back. “I suppose I have no choice.” His cold stare turned her body to ice.
    She inhaled deeply. “I do think someone in this house killed Andrew Whealdon, Todd Brandt, and maybe even Oliver Dark. But it wasn’t Griggs. However, Griggs knew who that person was. Perhaps he’s been covering for her all these years. After Whealdon was found dead in Shelby’s brownstone, he knew the police were closing in on the real murderer, so he asked her to turn herself in. She refused and murdered him to keep him from spilling the truth.”
    “Preposterous. Who are you, anyway?” Yannatos tossed his hand into the air. “Tell me why I shouldn’t throw the two of you out on the step right now?”
    “Because you know I’m right, Mr. Yannatos. Griggs did not commit suicide. You’re a lawyer who has sworn to uphold justice. You can’t do that and keep protecting the twins. It’s time for the truth to come out.”
    His mouth twisted. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Then tell us what’s really going on. Take us to the girls,” Daniel demanded.
    Yannatos spun on his heel. “Very well. Follow me. If you want the truth, you’ll get it.”
     

 
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    His shiny patent leather shoes clicked along the floor as Briony and Daniel trailed him past the spiral staircase to the hallway where the elevator was located. Head craned over her shoulder, her gaze moved to the top of the glass dome above the winding stairs. She doubted anyone could have survived a fall, or push, down those stairs. Least of all, an older man Oliver Dark’s age. Why had he been on the stairs at all, when there was an elevator in the mansion? She wondered if he’d been lured there.
    Without speaking, the three of them rode the elevator up to the third floor. The door slid open. As they padded down a hallway of thick carpet, Briony found the stillness odd. She’d heard sobbing on the phone when Daniel was speaking to Sharlyn. And he’d said a woman was crying hysterically in the background. Had the mourning stopped so suddenly? Or was this a ruse as she’d first suspected?
    Myriad thoughts flashed through her mind. Was Yannatos in cahoots with the twins? Knowing Daniel had been speaking to the police, had they lured him here to silence him for good this time? If so, they’d have to get rid of her, too. At least Daniel had left Mark and Paige a note. It was some consolation the couple would have proof of Briony and Daniel’s destination to show police if they turned up missing, or worse.
    The lawyer stopped in front of a walnut paneled door. Without knocking, he opened it. “This is Sharlyn’s room,” he said, stepping back to allow Daniel and Briony to look inside. As she expected, it was eclectically decorated in feminine colors and fabrics mixed with an assortment of objects related to the supernatural. Some of the things she noted as her gaze perused the room were a large crystal ball, Tarot cards, bottles of oils, incense sticks, candles, and a Ouija board.
    “Sharlyn isn’t here,” Yannatos said.
    “That’s obvious,” Daniel stated dryly.
    Yannatos closed the door and moved further down the hall. After stopping at another door, he opened it, also without bothering to knock. “This is Shelby’s room, when she’s around.”
    They peeked inside. It reeked of strong perfume and resembled a bordello, or at least what Briony imagined a bordello to look like.
    “Shelby’s not here, either,” the lawyer said.
    “We can see that,” Daniel thundered. “What game are you playing?”
    Yannatos shut the door. His burning hot gaze seared two holes through Daniel. “This is no game, Mr. Collier.” He set his shoulders and clenched his teeth. “If only it were. You did say you’re in love with Sharlyn, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “But you were also captivated by and physically attracted to Shelby when you met her? Am I