Read Secrets of Hallstead House for Free Online

they’re part of the reason I decided to come here to work. I needed a change of scenery. I felt like I had to get out of the city for a while.”
    Miss Hallstead nodded knowingly. “So we’ve each lost two people close to us. Diana passed away eleven years ago, and not an hour goes by that I don’t think of both her and Forrest.”
    I was shocked. I didn’t know Diana had passed away. I couldn’t imagine the pain of losing one’s only child, and I wondered how Miss Hallstead was able to stay focused and strong. But she didn’t linger on her own sorrow. She took my hand in hers and patted it. “I hope Hallstead Island can be the peaceful place you need and deserve, my dear.” Just like that, she was concentrating on my feelings. I smiled my thanks. I hoped Hallstead Island could be that place for me too.
    We walked slowly back to the house, each lost in our own thoughts. Once in the foyer, Miss Hallstead took off her coat and took my hand again. “Come in here, Macy. There’s something I’d like to show you.” She led me to the living room and over to the fireplace. Today there was no fire in the grate and the room was chilly. She looked up over the mantel and pointed at the portrait I had seen and admired yesterday. “This is Forrest,” she said. “Wasn’t he distinguished?” I smiled and nodded. I stared at the painting for a long moment, admiring the man in the wicker chair. I found myself wishing that I had been able to meet him.
    “It’s a wonderful painting,” I remarked.
    “Do you like it?” Miss Hallstead seemed pleased. “I painted that myself.”
    I was struck by her talent. “That’s amazing,” I marveled. “I wish I were as good as you are.”
    Miss Hallstead laughed. “Well, I may have been good at one time, but I don’t think I could ever paint another portrait quite as well as that one.” Her eyes lingered on the painting for a moment, and then she turned away briskly. “I need to head back to my office and get some work done or the day will be gone,” she said.
    I walked to her rooms with her, and as I turned to go, Miss Hallstead said, “Wait, Macy. You mentioned last night that you enjoy running and biking. There is a YMCA in Cape Cartier and I have a lifetime membership there because Forrest used to be on its board of directors. Of course, I never go over there, but you’re more than welcome to use my membership anytime. I’m not sure exactly what facilities they have, but I know there’s a pool and treadmills and stationary bikes. Just ask Pete to take you over in the boat.”
    I smiled inwardly, imagining Pete’s dismay if I asked him to taxi me over to Cape Cartier so I could use a treadmill. But I thanked Miss Hallstead, saying, “I may take you up on that if Pete is ever going to Cape Cartier on an errand. It would feel good to run or bike. I never learned how to swim, though.”
    Miss Hallstead suddenly turned ashen and gripped her door handle for support.
    “Miss Hallstead!” I cried, running to her. I put my arm around her waist in case she should fall, and helped her into her sitting room. She lay down on the sofa and looked up at me wildly, her hands fluttering nervously. I held her hands in mine—they were like ice. I grabbed the stethoscope from the medical bag and used it to listen to her heart.
    Normal.
    I took her blood pressure.
    Normal.
    I was getting up to yell for Vali or Leland, thinking we should call for a doctor, when she finally spoke.
    “I’m sorry to have scared you, Macy. I just didn’t know that you can’t swim.” I sat down again.
    “All that because I can’t swim?” I asked, incredulous. “I told the nursing agency that I can’t swim before I accepted this position. They said I didn’t need to know how.”
    Miss Hallstead closed her eyes and moved her lips silently. I sat, waiting. She remained quiet for a few moments, then opened her eyes again and looked at me sadly.
    “Diana died by drowning,” she said