Griffin didnt answer the question but rather voiced one in return. Do you know of anyone jealous of him? Someone who would want to hurt himfor any reason? he asked.
Gary, Lacey, Jon and Alice all looked at one another. Then they all looked at Griffin and shook their heads in unisonalmost as if it had been rehearsed.
Whoever it wasif there was a whoever, Alice said, they hid what they were feeling. I mean, at least as far as we know.
But you will want to talk to Liza, Lacey said.
Yes, hell need to talk to Liza, of course, Gary said.
Dad, what, you think shell rouse the truth with a séance? Alice asked sarcastically.
She knew him, Gary said, ignoring his daughter. She can do her ridiculous séance. Who knowsmaybe shell come up with something.
Oh, it will be great, Alice murmured darkly.
Liza is going to do a séance? Jon asked. I mean, they may want to talk with Alistair Malcolm and Brent Whaley, too. Id say the three of them are the core of the Blackbird Society, he said. Others come...but not with the same passion and continuity. And Alistair and Brent were also friends with Franklin Verne, he said, looking earnestly at Griffin.
Thank you, Griffin said.
Yes! Special Agent Pryce will need to speak with Brent Whaley and Alistair Malcolm as well, Lacey said, sudden energy in her voice. Whaley is a writer! Part of the Poe society, but a writer, too. I mean, he actually writes for a living. He does a mystery series about a Baltimore detective. And, like Liza, he knew Franklin Verne! Im sure Brent considers himself to be a friend of Franklin Verneor, at least, he did, she added awkwardly. In fact, he and Liza have been known to get a bit snippy when discussing him. And Alistair is about the only one who can put little Ms. Liza Harcourt in her place. He owns an amazing collection of Poe memorabilia. Liza is quite jealous of it. Theres no way out of itAlistair is very knowledgeable and he writes as well. Hes had some articles published and is always working on a book.