The House on Serpent Lake (Ghost, Romance, Fantasy) Read Free Page B

breakdown. But no one in the family talked about it.”
    “Well, that’s as it should be,” Mathews said briskly, his tone closing further discussion. “Now, as I told you on the telephone, Miss Frida will be cremated, all according to her instructions. There’s to be no service, then she wanted her ashes scattered in the lake.”
    “I thought she’d want to be buried with the family,” Eric said.
    “I was surprised as well.” Mathews replied. “I'd be remiss if I didn’t inform you that while scattering ashes in the lake isn't illegal at this time, it is considered a nuisance and not to be encouraged. Nevertheless, once the cremains are turned over to the family, all official responsibilities end. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Of course,” Mathews continued, “if you must return to California before then, I’m to take care of it.”
    “We can stay a few extra days, can’t we?” Eric asked Lindsay.
    “Absolutely.” Extra time away from work would be wonderful for him, she thought. Maybe he could finally relax.
    “The estate has gone through probate and it’s all ready for disbursement.” Mathews cleared his throat. “Have you seen the property?”
    “Just a quick look last evening,” Eric replied. “The house was locked, of course.”
    “Mr. Mathews,” Lindsay began. “The strangest thing happened.” She paused and both men looked at her. “We stopped for dinner at the diner, and this old woman—”
    Eric laughed. “You’re not going to tell him about that , are you?”
    “About what, Mrs. Peterson?”
    She told the attorney about their reception in the diner after the people learned who they were, finishing with the old woman’s warning. ‘“Evil lives there,’ she said. It was creepy.”
    “You didn't take that seriously, did you?” Eric asked. “Even small towns have strange people wandering around jabbering nonsense.” He glanced at Mathews as if seeking corroboration.
    The attorney stiffened. Lindsay detected a slight reddening in his cheeks. Why would an attorney flush?
    Mathews cleared his throat. “That they do,” he said, bending down to search through files stacked on the floor. “Here we are.” He pulled out a legal-size file. “You have a couple of decisions to make.”
    “Everything's in order, isn't it?” Eric asked.
    “Certainly. Even after Miss Frida was moved to the nursing home ten years ago, she had periods of total lucidity. No problem there.” Mathews opened a manila envelope and extracted some papers.
    “As you know, you’re the only heir, so there shouldn’t be any challenges with the deed transfer. However,” he paused, pulling off his glasses, “there's an unusual provision we have to address. Your aunt demanded that once she passed away, the house and all the associated buildings be destroyed by fire.”
    “No!” Lindsay cried, surprised at how much she already loved the house.
    Eric frowned. “Burn it down? Why on earth would she want to do something like that?”
    “It doesn't make sense,” Lindsay said. “It's a little rundown, but the place is lovely. Or it could be with some TLC.”
    Mathews nodded. “It was indeed a showplace in its time.” He paused. “You should know there’s already a question as to the enforcement of that provision. As executor and as her attorney, I owe fiduciary loyalty to Miss Frida; however, I can't go beyond the boundary of the law.”
    “Meaning?” Eric asked.
    “While I'm obligated to adhere to the terms of the will, I cannot do anything illegal.” Mathews leaned back and folded his hands over his ample stomach. “That will was drafted thirty years ago, and laws have changed. We now have a fire ordinance prohibiting burning in the city’s immediate area—especially a home and its contents. Toxic air pollutants, you understand, from lead, plastics, and other household materials. Ordinarily, we'd find some other way to destroy the property, which is technically going against