Chapter 13 ~ What Is Your Motive? ~

• ~ What is your motive? ~
• The passageway was dark and cold, the way they preferred things to be. William and Aiden stood silently, their gaze fixed on the heavy door as it creaked shut. "That was a little close!" The Earl of Lancashire let out a sigh of relief, knowing Rosa had not found the hidden passage that connected to this room.
• They had lost count of how many times Rosa looked at the mirror with suspicion. William turned slightly to catch a glimpse of Aiden lingering in the shadows behind him.
• The soft patter of footsteps faded into the distance. Emerging from the hidden passageway, Aiden stepped out from behind the ornate mirror, scanning the room with his eyes and ears for any signs of movement. "All clear!" Aiden whispered for his master to step out. Knowing that Mary was taking Rosa to meet up with the rest of the guests. They knew Rosa would be busy for a while.
• William gestured toward the bed, a silent command that instantly registered with Aiden. He moved with purpose, lifting the sheets to reveal Rosa's laptop hidden beneath. No different than anyone else, he was sure he would find personal information that would bring them closer to understanding 'who' Rosa was. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Aiden opened it. His eyes widened as he read the words on the screen, “It appears the dead are trying to warn Miss Erickson of the seven!” He knew instantly who the seven were as he gazed at his master. "Shall we proceed as planned?"
• William gazed into the abyss. His mind is thinking of everything, yet nothing at all. 'Her arrival has shifted the dynamics of our game!' The corners of his lips turned down. "I need to understand more about Rosa," he murmured. He paused for a heartbeat, "What did you find?" He asked, striding toward the nightstand. Needing to uncover the reason Rosa had two bottles of medication.
• Muttering to himself, "What condition do you have that requires medication?" William asked out loud.
• Aiden smiled, showing his teeth, "Miss Erickson's system is basic, I should be able to gather information quickly sir!" Aiden began working on Rosa's computer.
• William's gaze was fixed on the labels. Pulling out his phone, he typed in the name of the first prescription. The first prescription, he noted, was for depression, 'something everyone seems to have nowadays!' Typing out the second label, the search showed the medication was used for a heart condition, 'just another human fragility.' He thought bitterly. "Humans have always been weak!" He muttered out loud as he returned the medications to their original spot. "What did you find?" His tone lacked emotion.
• Aiden paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the messenger tab labelled ‘Auntie.’ "William," he said, "It seems Rosa was right all along. Her Auntie instructed her to wear the witch's mark while travelling, it was brought up on many occassions. I could be wrong, but I am getting a feeling Rosa has no idea what wearing that mark means!” He re-examined the string of messages. “In fact, it sounds less like a suggestion and more like a direct order!” He frowned, "This could pose a problem in the future!"
• "That is an issue for later!" William hummed for a few seconds as he moved his feet to the end of the bed where Rosa had placed the bag. “Did Miss Erickson mention that she was making any plans to come here?”
• Aiden scanned over the message, "No, sir! Not even the mention of going to Ireland." He paused as he continued to read. "However, there is mention of leaving where she is currently residing. Actually it is brought up in conversation several times!" He paused, "I can't help but notice this means of communication is far and in between, and the conversations seem ... detached!" He had a brow raised. "Rosa's responses seem to be dismissive and almost right out cold!" He added.
• A smirk crept across William's lips. Recalling the papers that had been scattered in the room not too long ago. Reaching for Rosa's bag, he pulled out the loose papers.
• William carefully looked over everything Rosa had written out. "Miss Erickson wasn't lying to me!" He raised the pages as he looked at Aiden. "She made a list of places to see, written out and numbered. There is also a list of real estate available to buy or rent. Again numbered!" He could not help but wonder, "No one just plans one day to leave everything behind. What is her motive?"
• "William!?" Aiden had his eyes glued on the screen, "I have a theory!" He looked up from the computer, "There is mention of Rosa not being happy. Rosa has travelled several times for job interviews. There, she also looks at the real estate that is available. Each time she turns down everything. Saying and I quote the heart will know when it knows!" Aiden took the time to think, getting back to his point. "This is just a thought, but with the tone in these messages ... the strained relationship with her brother! I am thinking she is relocating to start a new life. A place that she feels like she belongs."
• "It does appear that way! Is there any mention of the job interviews that she was supposed to go to?"
• Aiden skimmed over the messages, "No she did not!"
• William was deep in his thoughts. Recalling how, in the car, Rosa had stated that she was revisiting the places that her family had visited 10 years ago. William noted that Lancashire Mansion was not on the list of places to see. "Interesting!" He continued to look over the sheets. "Rosa and her family visited here, correct?"
• Aiden simply nodded his head as he was reading the messages on Rosa's computer.
• Wondering out loud, "If Rosa is revisiting everything, why wasn't Lancashire Mansion placed on that list?" William was not expecting a reply as he mused over everything he knew.
• Closing the laptop, "maybe Rosa has a scatter brain and can't keep to a plan if her life depended on it!" Aiden had suggested.
• "Possibly!" William returned the pages to the bag, making sure there were no creases that would alert Rosa to someone snooping through her belongings. "Before the hunt begins, I will be having a meeting with my siblings. As far as everyone is concerned, the hunt remains on schedule!"
• Aiden snapped the laptop shut before returning it to its rightful place. "Should I examine Rosa's suitcase? There might be vital information there that we have no knowledge of!"
• Looking down at his watch, he said, "We don't have time for that! Bridget should be close to finishing the tour. Things must continue as planned." William gave Aiden a cold stare, "Complete your tasks and inform me when they are done!" He ordered.
• Without saying a word, Aiden slipped out of the bedroom. William retraced his steps. Meticulously adjusted the mirror until it appeared as if it had never been touched. Navigated the shadowy corridor back to his office.