I know it has taken forever for the updates. But this story is almost done and I want the ending to be really good. If you're still reading this story don't give up on me, I will finish it.

10. Skeletons in the Closet

"Do you really think Jocelyn would fake her own death?" asked George. "Isn't that a little extreme?"

"I guess we'll have to read and find out. But she didn't sound happy about the idea of a marriage to Richard." Nancy answered.

Nancy began reading aloud again.

I tried to discuss my feelings of foreboding with Walter. He is afraid for my well being. He truly believes that Richard is the best this town has to offer. He is sure that I would be well cared for. I do not have that same confidence. Perhaps if I inform James of Richard's offer of marriage he would decide to approach Walter and reveal his feelings.

"Wait, who is James?" Joe asked.

"Sounds like Jocelyn had a secret boyfriend. But why didn't she just tell Walter about James herself?" Frank replied. "Maybe it tells later in the diary."

Nancy scanned the next few pages quickly. "Here's a reference to James. Richard visited the mansion today. He came to take me riding. He couldn't stop complimenting me on my grace. I really wish it had been James riding that horse, not Richard. The day was not without joy, however. Upon returning to the mansion I saw James standing near the rose bushes, talking to Walter. He had delivered the cook's order from his uncle's general store."

"I can't find any reference to a job. But it sounds like he worked at the general store." Nancy looked up from the journal.

"But we know that Jocelyn married Richard, for whatever reason." Gabriel pointed out. "And while this is interesting information it isn't practical for us to read the entire journal."

"So let's start from the end and work backwards." Bess suggested.

Nancy flipped through the pages until she found the last entry. "Here it is." Nancy began reading again. "I made a trip into town today. James was at the general store. He agreed to meet me tonight. Every detail has been decided."

"What did she mean by that entry?" Bess questioned. "Was she planning to run away with James and leave Richard?"

"The question is, did she ever make it to her meeting?" George asked.

"Or was she killed first?" Joe spoke up.

"Good question, Joe." Nancy let go of the back cover of the diary and flipped through the pages. "That's the last entry. How can we be sure what happened?"

"Careful Nan. You're going to drop that piece of paper." Frank reached out to pull the thickly folded paper from its hiding place in the spine of the diary.

The group crowded together to get a better view of the paper as Frank unfolded it. The elegant script on the page was slightly faded with age. The handwriting seemed to be the same as that of Jocelyn's. Everyone was silent as Frank began to read the note.

"If you are reading this message I am sure I am no longer here. I leave this as possibly my last message to you. No doubt you have read, or begun to read, my journal. You surely have many questions, some of which even I am unable to answer. All I can leave you with is this story of my life, and a clue to the treasure that my brother held so dear. It is true that he hid it here at the manor. To find this treasure you must solve the puzzle. It's not too difficult, for those who can count. To understand the message, remember that each letter has its own number, one through twenty-six. The spaces separate the letters."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Bess asked.