Haunted by James Herbert Read Free Book Online Page A

credence.’
    ‘So we understand, Mr Ash,’ said Robert mildly. ‘But you don’t believe we’re lying to you?’
    ‘Of course not. Whatever it is you’ve experienced here at Edbrook is obviously very real to you. Why else would you pay for my services? I’m only saying that what’s happened may have some perfectly rational explanation.’
    Simon rested his elbow on the table, chin on his hand. ‘I think you really should be told—’
    ‘All in good time,’ Ash repeated. ‘Let me find out what I can for myself first.’
    ‘You may not necessarily experience what we have,’ Robert commented.
    ‘I shouldn’t imagine for a moment that I would. The psychic link may only exist between you four and whatever’s taking place. We’ll see.’
    ‘Psychic link?’ Simon sat upright again. ‘What, exactly, is that?’
    ‘Imagine, if you can, that our minds are like some kind of radio receiver. You, as the occupants of this house, may be tuned in to somebody else’s transmission.’
    Simon considered the suggestion as amusing. ‘Somebody’s broadcast from the other side . . .?’ He looked around at his family, apparently seeking approval for his mockery.
    Ash did not rise to the bait. ‘Let’s call it a thought process from someone now in another place, or an impression they’ve left behind. It might be that you, because of your association with Edbrook, are tuned in to that particular wavelength.’
    ‘A very interesting proposition,’ admitted Robert. ‘But not really acceptable, is it?’
    ‘No less than the idea of ghosts,’ Ash replied.
    Christina dabbed her lips with a napkin, the glow from the candles soft in her eyes. ‘And what can we do to help you with your investigations – apart from tell you what we’ve seen for ourselves?’
    ‘Not much, except stay out of the way,’ he told her. ‘Later this evening I want to set up some equipment around the house, mainly at certain points I think might be susceptible to odd occurrences. Once that’s done I’d like you to keep away from those areas. In fact, it would help considerably if you kept to your rooms for the rest of the evening.’
    At this last request the Mariells and their aunt glanced around at each other.
    ‘That’s a bit drastic,’ protested Simon.
    ‘Only for tonight,’ Ash assured him. ‘Maybe afterwards we can concentrate on one or two specific areas.’
    ‘You’ll have our fullest co-operation,’ Robert answered for them all. ‘Is there anything else you need?’
    ‘Not for the moment. Oh, I’d like to ring Kate McCarrick a bit later, just to let her know how things are going.’
    ‘Nanny Tess tells me Miss McCarrick was enthusiastic about our choice of you for this investigation. She appears to think highly of your work.’
    ‘She’s something of an authority on the subject of parapsychology herself. I must admit, we don’t always agree in our views, but then the whole field is more conjecture than proven fact. Incidentally, if my tests at Edbrook prove positive it might be an idea if she came here with an impartial observer.’
    The sharpness of Nanny Tess’ response startled him. ‘No, no,’ she insisted, ‘that won’t do at all.’
    Robert’s rejection of the investigator’s suggestion was more relaxed. ‘As I’ve already stressed, Mr Ash, we want to keep this affair very low key. I think you can appreciate our reasons.’
    ‘There’d be no publicity involved,’ Ash promised. ‘It’d just be a matter for the Institute, for the records.’
    ‘Let’s take your investigation one step at a time, shall we?’ the older Mariell said evenly. ‘That was your own wish, wasn’t it?’
    Ash smiled wryly. ‘Okay. No pressure whatsoever from me. It’s all in your hands.’
    Robert eyed him coolly from the far end of the table. ‘Not entirely. No, I wouldn’t say that at all . . .’
    He jiggled the telephone contacts frustratedly, holding the bulky black receiver close to his ear with the other hand.