The Sandie Shaw Mysteries, Two Sisters, One Ghost: Sandie Shaw, #8

By R T Green

Sandie's eighth adventure, 'Two Sisters, One Ghost', is a double helping of stories in one book!

 

With the detective agency now based in both Chicago and Windsor UK, there is plenty of opportunity for twice the danger.

In Windsor, Poppy asks Rose and Archie to help an acquaintance find her missing daughter. Following an overgrown trail that leads to a well-buried secret, they realise they've uncovered a dark story that was never supposed to see the light of day.

 

In Chicago, Daphne sees a ghost. Not once, but several times, each visitation getting scarier and more threatening. Believing ghosts don't exist, Sandie tries to convince her friend that trauma brought on by the past is the reason she thinks she's seeing someone who no longer exists.

Until something happens to blow that theory right out of the window...

 

Check out the whole Sandie series, and our popular Daisy series, on the new rtgreen website.

And enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wise Owl
• Release date: Feb 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215085462

R T Green

The RTG mission in life is simple... to not be like everyone else! ‘Going Green’ has taken on a new meaning, in the book world at least. Whilst we applaud the original meaning (ebooks are a perfect way to promote that) we also try to present a different angle to it. The tendency these days is that if you don’t look and read like everyone else, you don’t sell books. Maybe there’s some truth in that, but we simply don’t do it. The RTG books have been described as a ‘breath of fresh literary air’, and, by those discovering us for the first time, ‘unexpectedly good’. We know many readers prefer the same-old same old, and that’s fine. It’s just not what you get from the RTG stable. Those who know about such things said it would take five years to become a proficient author... I scoffed at that. They were wise. It took six. It’s one reason why even today we remodel existing books, and will always do so. Right from the early years the stories were always good, but were put into words less well than they could have been! These days we have several series and a few standalones, the hit Daisy series most popular amongst them. In everything we do, the same provisos apply – Never the same book twice. If we can’t think up a good story, it doesn’t get written. The RTG brand is about exciting and twisty plots, a fast pace which doesn’t waste words, and endearing (sometimes slightly crazy) characters. We can never please everyone, but it works for us, and, it seems, for those who appreciate our work. Enjoy! Richard, Ann and the RTG crew

Book preview

Introduction

1920’S CHICAGO. WHAT CAME to be known as the ‘roaring twenties’. For private investigator Sandie Shaw, ‘roaring’ was hardly the flattering kind of description she would ever give it.

Born and raised in the city, she despairs at everything it has become. In her view, Chicago typifies the false decadence gripping America. Only just recovering from the lawlessness of the days of the Wild West, her city and the rest of the country then entered the World War for a brief time, and when that was over, the whole nation seemed to lose all sense of reason.

People went crazy. Prohibition raised its ugly head, and the mobsters and the flappers took over Chicago. Her beloved city had fallen at the mercy of those who believed they were above the law... once again.

In truth, Chicago had long held the reputation of being the most lawless place in America. Prohibition, and corrupt governance, had handed a free meal ticket to the gangsters. It didn’t sit well with Sandie.

Taking over the one-man agency when her father died, and making it a one-woman operation, she knew from the off that in a male-dominated environment she had to be tough, and witty, to succeed.

And that keeping well away from anyone with a machine gun was a big part of staying alive.

She managed it, for eight years refusing to be drawn into anything mob-related. But then one day someone came to call, and without Sandie even realizing what she was getting into, suddenly everything changed, and it wasn’t a one-woman operation anymore.

This time round, with the detective agency now based in both Chicago and Windsor UK, it turns out there is plenty of opportunity for twice the danger!

In Windsor, Poppy asks Rose and Archie to help an acquaintance find her missing daughter. Following an overgrown trail that leads to a well-buried secret, they realise they’ve uncovered a dark story that was never supposed to see the light of day.

In Chicago, Daphne sees a ghost. Not once, but several times, each visitation getting scarier and more threatening. Sandie tries to convince her friend that trauma brought on by the past is the reason she thinks she’s seeing someone who no longer exists.

Until something happens to blow that theory right out of the window...

Enjoy!

Richard, Ann, and the crew

Chapter 1

I FOUND DAPHNE ON THE terrace, gazing thoughtfully across a mirror-like Lake Michigan, unaware I’d even sat down ten feet away from her.

The sun had disappeared below the low wooded hill behind the lake house, and a calm, serene kind of darkness was fast approaching. At first glance Daphne appeared calm and serene too, but even in the gloom I could see all was not well.

‘Penny for them, as they say in England?’

She visibly jumped at the sound of my voice. ‘Oh... oh hi, Sandie.’

‘Shall I say it again?’

‘Say what?’

I shook my head. ‘I was just wondering where you were?’

‘Oh... I’m here.’

‘You sure about that?’

‘Yes... yes, I’m here. Right here.’

My eyes narrowed as I realized she was indeed right there, in a manner of speaking. ‘I see what you mean,’ I said slowly.

She turned to look at me. ‘Okay then, best private detective in Chicago, as you seem to know my every thought maybe you should tell me what’s going through my mind.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes, really. Show me how brilliant you are.’

I sucked in a deep breath. I thought I knew what was eating her, but I wasn’t certain. Blurting it out might reveal how brilliant I wasn’t... but she’d put me on the spot. I never could resist a challenge.

‘You’re feeling guilty.’

She turned her gaze back to the lake. ‘Go on...’

‘Roland has been living here for a while now. In the house you and James were planning to renovate for the two of you. James is no longer on this Earth, and now another man is a major part of your life... and your house.’

‘I never planned it, Sandie.’

‘So am I right?’

‘I suppose.’

‘See, I am a genius.’

I caught sight of the slight smile on her face. ‘Maybe. But just because you can see inside my head, it’s not really much help.’

I walked over, sat beside her and took her hand. ‘Daphne, no one planned any of it. And no one can ever plan falling in love anyway.’

She rested a weary head on my shoulder. ‘I know. But it still feels like I’m betraying James. Moving another man into the house he bought, I mean.’

I could feel her pain, misguided as it was. ‘You listen to me, Daphne. Do you think James would want you to grieve for him for the rest of your life?’

The answer took a moment to come. ‘No, he wouldn’t. If he could suddenly appear in front of me he’d tell me to get on with my life and be happy.’

‘Precisely my point. And Roland didn’t exactly muscle his way in here, did he?’

‘You know he didn’t. He was all set to find himself an apartment in Chicago, and when I asked him to move in here it took him days to actually say yes.’

‘That’s because he knew how it would make you feel when you stopped and thought about it. Which is exactly what you’re doing now, because he’s away for a couple of days on Secret Intelligence business.’

‘Are you always this perceptive?’

‘Sure I am. And I’m telling you the way you’re feeling is perfectly natural. It will pass, and you’ll shake off the guilt. James wouldn’t want you to live in this house alone, so do what he would want and be happy.’

‘I’m not alone. You’re here.’

‘I am. Playing the role of gooseberry.’

‘Oh come on. You’re part of me now.’

‘So is Roland. If anyone, I should be the one to move out.’

Her big eyes grew even bigger. ‘Don’t you dare.’

I laughed. ‘Oh, I see.’

‘What, again? So go on then, be incredibly brilliant a second time.’

I shook my head in an amused kind of way. ‘If I moved out then your guilty conscience would tell you this place really would be yours and Roland’s love-nest.’

She threw a frustrated hand in the air. ‘That’s nonsense.’

‘Yes it is, from your point of view. But am I right?’

This time it was Daphne’s turn to shake her head. ‘Perhaps you really are Chicago’s best private detective.’

‘So I am right then.’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘Didn’t you?’

She looked at me, lost for words. After a few seconds we giggled together and pulled each other into a tight hug. Then she finally found some words. ‘I would tell you I don’t know what I’d do without you, but clearly you already know that.’

‘Right again.’

‘Now you’re just showing off.’

‘But has it made you feel better?’

She nodded. ‘I know my thoughts are irrational in one way, but I still think they’ll keep popping up for a while.’

‘As I said, it’s normal for someone with a conscience and a good heart. When they pop up next time just share with me, okay?’

‘I will. And I suppose you’ll leave me one day anyway.’

‘Um... I will?’

‘Sure you will. When you move in with Frank.’

‘Frank? Look, it’s getting late and I’m tired. Time for bed I think.’

Chapter 2

DAPHNE AND I HEADED to our bedrooms. She couldn’t help giving me a knowing smile as we parted company. Maybe she could read my mind too.

Ever since I finally let Frank into my life and my bed, I’d rather enjoyed sharing me. Roland might live here permanently, but Frank somehow managed to spend half his time here. Mostly at my insistence, I have to admit.

Roland was the eternal English gent, fully understanding that in some ways he was treading on James’s toes. And treading carefully because of it. Deep down I think Frank understood too... why I often asked him to stay overnight. Not just because I wanted him to, but because I needed him to.

Feeling like a gooseberry wasn’t just words. Daphne and Roland were a match made in heaven, and I sometimes felt like I was in the way. Then again, I was performing the role of Daphne’s reason to not implode with guilt, so I did have a purpose in life.

That sounded harsh as I thought it, but it really wasn’t. Daphne was coming to terms with having a man in the lake house that wasn’t James, even though she was the one who’d insisted Roland move in. She was split in two because of it, and I was perhaps the only one who could ultimately put the pieces back together.

She needed me, as much as I needed her. A confirmed loner, I knew I was wavering.

I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep up pretending to fly solo.

I crawled into bed, thoughts still bouncing around the hard walls of my skull like they were made of rubber. We both had issues we needed to deal with. Daphne’s were very real ones, brought on by the guilt only a strong conscience could feel. I understood what she was going through, but didn’t believe there was any way to solve it other than time itself.

And by being there for her whenever she needed me.

My issues were largely brought on by stubbornness. I knew that, but having been stubborn for most of my life I didn’t seem to be able to tell myself otherwise. It was a sheer miracle I’d let Frank into my inner soul at all, let alone manage to enjoy the fact he was there.

Maybe Daphne and Roland were responsible for my temporary lack of stubbornness, in allowing myself to have a relationship with Frank. She encouraged that relationship at every opportunity of course, but it was what she didn’t realise she was doing that actually got me over the first hurdle.

Seeing her and Roland so happy made me envious. Frank was my compensation for that. But he was far from just the pawn the queen used to stay on the board... a spark of something had always existed between us, when I was brave enough to admit it. Somehow Daphne’s happiness made me embrace that spark, and accept it for the real live thing it was. Then, having knocked down that wall, there didn’t seem to be any way to rebuild it again.

I need to say thank you to her one day.

I snuggled down under the bed-sheets. For Daphne it was her first night alone for a while, the inevitable time to sit back and take stock of her conscience. Sleeping alone wasn’t so unusual for me, but as I stopped and thought about it, I realised Frank did snuggle up with me at least half of the nights of each week.

It kinda made me smile.

The smile didn’t last long. Ripped from my face by a loud scream from Daphne’s room, I leapt out of bed and stumbled quickly to her door.

‘Daphne? What’s wrong?’

She was sitting up in bed, tears streaming down her face, hands on her head. It seemed to take her a moment to even realise I was there. ‘Sandie... oh Sandie...’

I ran to her and scooped her up in my arms. ‘Daphne... have you had a nightmare?’

She looked at me like my words didn’t make sense. Like nothing made sense. Her glossed eyes reflected the low light from the bedside lamp as she stared in my direction like she wasn’t seeing me. Then her frantic eyes flicked to the bottom of the bed, and a shaky finger pointed at nothing. Then finally she found a few trembling words.

‘Did... did you see him?’

‘Daphne, there’s no one here. Just you and me.’

She let out a tearful sob. Her head began to shake from side to side. ‘You didn’t then.’

She pulled me tight again. I glanced around the bedroom as best I could. We were alone. How could we not be?

‘Daphne, it was a bad dream. Whatever you saw, it must have been your imagination playing tricks.’

She pushed me away. ‘Bad dream? You need to be asleep to have a dream, bad or otherwise. I wasn’t asleep.’

‘Can you be sure about that?’

‘Are you saying I’ve lost my mind now?’

Her tone was curt, accusatory. Tears began to roll down her cheeks again. I had to say something. ‘No, of course not. But sometimes we fall asleep without realizing...’

‘I wasn’t asleep, Sandie. Get that into your genius brain.’

‘Okay, okay. Tell me what you saw, please?’

She wiped the tears away in a very unladylike fashion. ‘I heard someone whisper my name. I sat up, and there he was, standing at the foot of the bed...’

She was deadly serious. At least, she believed she was. Her eyes kept flicking from me to the foot of the bed, like she expected whoever it was to appear again. I took both her hands.

‘Daphne... who was standing there? Tell me please.’

She let out a huge sob. The hands in mine were shaking so badly I had to tighten my grip just to hold onto them. Her contorted lips opened and closed for a few seconds before she managed to form the whispered words.

‘It was him, Sandie. Him.’

______

Chapter 3

FELICITY SIMPSON TUT-tutted as she sat down at the dinner table, and then addressed the housekeeper. ‘Doreen, please call the girls again. Dinner will be getting cold.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ The portly middle-aged woman headed into the garden to do as she was asked. The two teenage girls were sitting on a blanket on the lawn, next to the bubbling stream, lost in their books. ‘Phoebe, Ali... your dinner will be getting cold. Come now, please.’

Phoebe glanced to her sister. A few words were exchanged, but the girls were too far away for Doreen to hear what was said. Then Phoebe stood up and ran towards the house. A curt voice wafted through the double glass doors that opened onto the large flagstone terrace. ‘Doreen, please come and serve. If my daughters wish to eat cold food that is their concern.’

The housekeeper hurried back inside, and began to do as she was ordered. A moment later Phoebe ran in, and quickly took her place at the elegant mahogany table, smiling apologetically. ‘Sorry mother. I’m here now.’

‘Ali?’

‘She said she just wanted to finish her chapter. She’ll be here in a minute.’

Her mother shook a frustrated head. ‘That child is so wilful. I think it is time I sat her down and gave her a firm talking-to.’

‘She’s nineteen, mother. She’s only just a child. In less than two years she’ll be an adult.’

‘Hmph. When she’s an adult she