I see youre known here. Ernest told his friend as soon as they entered.
Yeah, lately Ive been coming here quite often. Roni answered.
They got in and Ernest was more and more impressed from the beauty of that house. His attention had been caught by a huge painting hung on one of the walls representing a beautiful woman with long black hair; she was wearing a white dress holding a red rose in her hands; but her gaze was attracting him the most, it was so intense and penetrating that Ernest couldnt stop looking at it.
It is the portrait of my dead wife. A voice said behind his back.
Ernest turned and saw a tall man, with white hair and beard, dressed in a very elegant way.
Let me introduce myself, James Houg. You must be Mr. Devon, if Im not wrong.
Please, call me Ernest, sir the investigator said.
Very good. Well, Ernest, its a big pleasure meeting you. Houg said and he shook his hand. Ernest was embarrassed and stuttered something like My pleasure. Houg turned to Roni and said: This is my dear and good friend Roni. Youre looking good.
Yes, luckily Im quite good, thanks. As you can see I kept my promise and I brought you Ernest. Im sure he will be a big help for you.
I hope so as well, to be honest. Houg said and continued Can I offer you something to drink?
Not for me, thank you. Ernest answered while still standing focused on appreciating that extraordinary house.
Houg grabbed a bottle and filled up two glasses, one for Roni and the other one for himself. Then he finally noticed that Ernest was still standing and invited him to have a seat.
Please, take a seat. I need to talk to you.
That's what I'm here for. Ernest said, very curious to know what it was about.
Well its a pretty funny situation, to be honest, but it could be pretty dangerous for my son Houg started and continued after taking a sip from the glass he was holding, Less than a month ago, to be exact on the night of 13 October, my son got rushed into emergency to the hospital, in a state of total shock. He didn't say a word for weeks. Until a few days ago. The first person he had talked to right after what happened was me and when I knew the reason why my son was in such a state, I was stunned. Anyway...It seems that he's seen a ghost.
A ghost?! Ernest exclaimed being not able to believe his ears.
I see that our friend Roni didnt tell you anything about that. Houg said turning to Ernest who was still surprised for what he had heard.
No, to be honest he didnt tell me anything at all. Ernest replied, confirming Hougs hypothesis.
I didnt say anything cause I didn't want to spread any rumors, considering the bad events of last year. Roni said looking into Hougs eyes.
Sure, but I see no reason why Ernest shouldnt know about it, considering that he is your dearest friend and also the man who can help us. Houg piled on in a disapproving tone.
To be honest, I dont see how I could help you. Ernest intervened, who didnt really understand why he was involved in that situation.
Houg stayed silent for a while; then, turning to Ernest said: You could help me because Im a very rational person and I dont believe in ghosts; so, either imagination played a trick on my son and therefore he believed he had seen his mothers ghost, or there is something else; anyway, I think that in all of this there is a logical explanation and I would like you to find out what it is.
Well, your son saw his mothers ghost Ernest asked, surprised of that sentence said almost in a rush.
Yes, thats right, I apologize for not saying it earlier, but I almost forgot it. Houg replied.
But, you cant forget that easily that is your wifes ghost. the investigator made notice with a provocative tone, and instinctively his eyes landed on the painting representing Hougs wife.
There was a moment of silence and the banker lowered his eyes but Ernest, who looked very sure of himself, deep down he was feeling uncomfortable with being in front of that man so massive who even when he was talking about ghosts it seemed like he was talking about the most natural thing of the world.
Youre right, but this story embarrasses me and I cant wait for you to accept my offer and resolve the mystery. Houg said as to justify his embarrassment and his strange ways.
First of all I havent received any offer yet and in second place I dont think Ill resolve everything with a magic wand. Ernest answered.
If you had to decide to accept my offer you can put yourself the amount on the check; I'm fine with it. I really hope youll accept because your friend and I have faith in you. Houg concluded.
Ernest was about to answer when a girl came into the living room. From the looks of her uniform she had to be a maid. She was a really pretty girl with short blonde hair. As soon as she saw the two men who were talking to Houg, she took a step back, almost scared.
Tell me Rebecca, whats up? Houg asked.
Oh I apologize. I thought you were alone. I won't intrude any longer, the girl muttered and she quickly got out of the room.
Shes my childrens nanny and she was the one to find my son in the shocked condition I was telling you about. Houg said and then continued Ill give you the other explanations only in case you accept my offer.
In that case, Ill let you know Ernest answered and motioned towards Roni that the visit was done.
I hope to have your news as soon as possible Houg said escorting them to the door.
Ernest nodded his head and got out heading towards the car. Roni instead stayed behind and he stopped to talk with Houg.
This is all a bit weird. Ernest commented with Roni once they had left.
What? Roni asked.
Everything. The ghost story; Houg who wants to engage me to solve the problem. Doesnt it make any sense to you?
No, personally I dont see anything weird about it. I just hope you're not sore at me for not telling you anything. Roni answered.
Listen, I don't understand something. Why would a person with Hougs influence and power want to hire me for this case? If he wanted, he could have an army of investigators, not to mention the fact that he can count on the total availability of Scotland Yard. Why just one man? Why? Ernest wondered again, muttering to himself.
Roni felt anyway as if he wanted to talk: Yes, all that you're saying it's true, but if you paid attention you must've guessed he had a bad experience a year ago, when his wife died. The majority of the press talked about that for a long time and some newspapers even wrote that the fault of his wife's death was his, Hougs.
What do you mean by it was Hougs fault? Ernest asked intrigued.
Wellits not very clear. I only know that his wife spent her last months of life in a psychiatric hospital because she was suffering from a major depression. It seems that she had become violent and dangerous so it wasnt possible to keep her at home. The official version on her death is that she died after a strong nervous breakdown that caused her a heart attack. In certain articles it even came out that it was suicide and that Houg had given her a hand.
In other words: a murder. Ernest interrupted him, then asking But why on earth would he do that?
In other words: a murder. Ernest interrupted him, then asking But why on earth would he do that?
Nobody knows it. Someone wrote that being him a famous businessman, a wife in a state like that represented an embarrassment.
This fails to convince me. How can a man kill his own wife just because he feels embarrassed? Ernest muttered shaking his head.
In fact that's all talk. After a while they didnt speak about the case anymore and Houg declared that he would have sued all the journalists who did similar insinuations. After all, it was clear to everyone he loved his wife.
Even this is really weird. Ernest said and continued Why did the newspapers write that a suicide was simulated?
I dont know this. Roni replied.
But is it possible that a strong nervous breakdown can cause a heart attack?
I dont know Ernest, that is why you have to talk with a doctor, I cant tell you anything. But why are you so interested in this story? Roni asked who couldnt understand where his friend was going with that.
Our Mr. Houg is full of enigmas, dont you think? Ernest considered.
Hes just a rich man, and like all the other rich men he is very envied and much attacked. Naturally he has made some mistakes, but saying that he is a murderer its a bit exaggerated. Roni replied.
But why did the newspapers write that a suicide was simulated, how does this make sense? If the cause of death was a heart attack why should've a suicide been simulated? Ernest asked again, demonstrating he didnt care about Ronis words.
The latter was becoming nervous for his friend's obsession. To Roni the story of how Hougs wife died was the past and now cleared. He wanted to change subject, but he knew that with Ernest this was very difficult. Once he set his mind on something he didn't hear the end of it.
But its very weird, don't you think? Really weird! Thinking about it, the official version doesn't make sense I mean on Mrs. Hougs death certificate I suppose its written that she died after a heart attack, but someone wrote that a suicide was simulated. I keep asking myself why. Ernest kept talking and it looked like he was waiting a reply from Roni.
Please, Ernest, stop repeating the same thing a hundred times! However, that is history, and it doesnt matter and after all they were all talks and nothing more! Roni exclaimed and to change subject asked Anyway, did you see what a beautiful nanny has Mr. Houg?
Yes, shes a really pretty girl. When I saw her she looked like someone I know; maybe Ive already seen her somewhere, but I dont remember where.
She gave me the same impression as well when I saw her for the first time. But this happens because she has a too common face. Roni said, happy that the conversation was taking another turn.
But he didnt calculate Ernest's ability to keep anchored to a subject until he didnt see the light.
I guess you know which newspapers wrote about Houg and his wife's death, right?
Pretty much all of them, but now I dont really remember which ones because it was more than a year ago. Tell me the truth Ernest, why are you asking me all these questions now? Why are you so interested in how Margaret Houg died? Roni asked to his friend.
Because Ill be the one to face Mrs. Hougs ghost and I believe I should know how she died, don't you think? the detective answered, staring at his friends eyes.
So that means youll accept the offer? Roni asked impatiently.
Of course. How could I reuse an offer like this? I wont even have to work a lot, since Houg already gave me two trails to follow.
What would these two trails be? Roni asked again.
One: there will have to be a logic explanation. Two: his sons imagination could have caused everything Ernest replied, who looked a bit too nervous.
You dont really like Mr. Houg, or am I wrong?
Especially, he doesn't look like a very clean person. Ernest replied again and continued Ive known him for a short while, but I think hes not saying all the truth and I dont like his arrogant way of speaking.
Personally I think hes very kind. Roni commented.
It could be. But I didnt like him trying to affect me, saying that maybe his son imagined everything.
I dont think Houg wanted to affect you. Hes just worried about the situation and he tried to give you his opinion about it. I don't see anything bad in this. Anyway when you think youll communicate your decision to Houg?
As soon as possible; even though the story Houg is telling doesn't really convince me.
Should you need my help, just ask me and Ill be glad to give it to you. Roni said, but Ernest was thinking and it seemed like he wasn't listening to him at all.
Okay, I understood, I won't talk anymore. Roni replied and stayed silent.
At the same moment the phone rang and James Houg picked it up.
So? voice asked from the other side of the line.
I think we can do it. Ill give you an answer very soon. Houg said.
Very good, Mr. Houg, I see youre starting to understand. His interlocutor replied and brutally hung up.
Houg was left with the phone in his hand for a few minutes, and then he put it down and gout out of the study.
Chapter 3
Luisa didn't know what made her call Ernest and invite him to dinner. Now it was too late for a do-over, soon he would come to her. She knew that during dinner the conversation would have taken a turn that she definitely wouldn't like. Ernest would ask legitimate questions, but she wasn't ready to answer and he would feel bad once again. She was feeling stupid, but the thing that made her feel worse was that now she couldn't do anything anymore; she could just wait the collateral effects of her brilliant idea. She was thinking about these things when the doorbell rang.
Luisa went to open and she felt terribly guilty when she saw Ernest with a big rose bouquet in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other one.
The roses are for you, the wine is for me instead. Ernest said, feeling the happiest man on Earth.
They're beautiful, but you didn't have to do all this.
No trouble! You decided to assume the hard task of feeding me and this is the least I could do in return. Ernest answered smiling.
Luisa was stunned in front of the door, grabbed the rose in her hands and she didn't know what to say. Ernest didn't look like he had lost his ability to speak and so asked: We'd better get ourselves inside.
Yes, of course, Im sorry. Be my guest. Luisa said, freeing the way.
It is nice, here, very delicious. Ernest said as soon as he got in, but he didn't get a reply You seem to be settling in all right he kept talking.
Yeah, to be honest I'm doin' real good here, Luisa replied, placing the flowers in a vase It's not bad, really. Im thinking about moving here. What do you say? ...Do you like the idea?
I don't really think its a good idea that you
Hey, what's wrong with you? Im kidding, Luisa! I haven't gone mad just yet. Ernest interrupted her Tell me the truth: you're not happy at all of having invited me, or am I wrong?