The Dead of Winter by Jane A. Adams

statements were taken so we don’t know what she thought about it and that was kind of central to the event.’
    â€˜Her portrait is on the first floor landing,’ Rina commented. ‘She looks very young.’
    â€˜She was twenty when she married Albert Southam. He was fifty-three.’
    â€˜And she left?’
    â€˜The morning after the seance, very early. Pym’s body was found after she’d gone. She never came back here.’
    â€˜Where did she go?’
    â€˜Italy,’ Robin said. ‘The family had a villa in Rome or somewhere close. She went there and never came back home again. Albert Southam died five years after, and this place was rented out. She didn’t even come back for the funeral. The room was walled up, and it was a condition of the tenancy that it was never opened up again – and it wasn’t. Not until a month ago when Melissa got the builders in to take the false wall down. The room was just as they’d left it. Table, chairs, even what was left of a bowl of roses on the table. Melissa took pictures as the work was being done.’
    â€˜I’d like to see those,’ Rina said thoughtfully.
    â€˜Pity she didn’t get someone to film it.’ Robin was regretful. ‘Surely there was someone here with a video camera, or even a mobile phone.’
    Viv laughed. ‘Well, anyway, the room was opened and the re-enactors started to prepare.’ She pulled a face. ‘We got here two days ago to set up, but no one’s told us anything much yet.’
    Joy left Tim’s side and came over to join them. ‘He’s talking shop,’ she said. ‘I’ll not get a word in.’ She didn’t sound as though she minded too much. ‘I read through your stuff,’ she told Viv. ‘I didn’t realize that Mrs Southam was the medium.’
    Rina had missed that. Joy had evidently been more assiduous in her research.
    Viv nodded. ‘She was at it before they married. Only private parties and stuff, not in public, though there were impresarios who tried to persuade her father and offered big money. She came from what they called an “old” family, lots of tradition and no cash, but then she married Albert Southam and I suppose that sorted that.’
    â€˜They met at a seance,’ Robin said. ‘I’m not sure if that’s my idea of an ideal first date.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Dinner in a couple of minutes,’ he added. ‘I’ll give you the quick biographical tour before we go in, so at least you’ll know who’s sitting next to you.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ Rina said. ‘I think that might be a good idea. Start with the man Tim is talking to.’
    â€˜Ah, well, I’m not surprised they’re so engrossed. That’s Jay Statham. He’s American—’
    â€˜ African American,’ Viv corrected him with a little giggle. ‘You know how Toby likes us to be politically correct. He’s a nice guy,’ she added. ‘Jay, I mean.’
    â€˜And Toby is not?’ Joy evidently couldn’t resist. She’d spent far too much time with her , Rina thought.
    â€˜Oh, he’s OK, he’s just a bit . . . Anyway, Jay Stratham. Magician and technical adviser. He writes books about the history of magic and also advises film companies and stuff. We’re lucky to have him here. He’s going to be the fourth camera on the night. I was just standing in for him today.’
    â€˜What will you be doing?’ Joy asked.
    â€˜I think, if I remember the seating plan right, sitting between Rina and that man over there who’s talking to Toby.’
    Blond, close cropped hair, his expensive suit cut to emphasize the musculature beneath, Rina felt an immediate sense of familiarity. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘That’s Terry Beal, isn’t it? The one who does all those action films.’
    â€˜Didn’t know