Chapter Twenty-five

Over dinner, Sonya recounts Cleo catching her walking at 3 a.m., finding her father’s portrait of Clover, the playful housekeeper Molly’s name via music, and the attack by a sulfur-scented black bird. Cleo proposes a time-slip theory for the reappearance of the portraits; Trey finds it plausible and asks Sonya about the bird. They conclude Hester Dobbs may have briefly conjured it, suggesting her current power is limited compared to the past when she lured Catherine into a fatal blizzard.

They visit the music room, where Trey confirms the portrait is Clover and notes her serene, non-pregnant depiction. Sonya believes Clover watches over them. Determined that breaking the curse requires finding the rings, Sonya agrees Trey should have a house key. After a dog walk, Sonya shares how Cleo has always been steady, and they review Trey’s firm website. Trey praises Sonya’s redesign, including personable staff pages and a humorous “Legal Consultant” profile for Mookie.

Trey stays the night. When Sonya stirs at the usual hour, Trey holds her and hears her murmur what sounds like “Lissy.” Piano music and a woman’s weeping drift through the house. In the morning, Sonya identifies Lissy as Lisbeth Anne Poole, who died on her wedding day in 1916 from multiple black widow bites. Trey plans to return Saturday with Owen to re-search storage areas, though Sonya doubts the mirror will appear unless it chooses to.

Cleo rises early to paint and confirms details about Lisbeth’s death, adding cynical notes about the groom’s motives. Later, Corrine arrives to discuss the Ryder Sports pitch. She appreciates Sonya’s creative plan, offers contacts and persuasion, reviews the Doyle firm’s new site, and agrees to a paid role on the Ryder project. On the way to tea, Corrine admires Sonya’s father’s portrait of Clover beside Johanna’s, moved by the twins’ mothers now placed together.