I have no idea what to do with the information I just overheard. I sit at my desk until lunchtime, just staring out the window and mentally running through my options. They are few and far between. Nobody is going to believe me. That's the start and the end of it. Who would believe me? Marcus? I ran into him once, and he definitely didn't recognize me. As far as he knows, I'm just the random witch doctor/probable charlatan who is here to exploit his father's illness for money.
The next morning, I get up early so that I can sit down with my coffee for a good hour before I have to leave for work and really think about the situation I've found myself in. I have to do something, I know that, but the threads of what's going on have become confusing. I need to untangle them. I stand for a minute at the kitchen sink, admiring the way the early morning light beams through the window and lights up the walls of the kitchen with a golden glow. I'll miss this villa if I ever have to leave, the kitchen especially.
"Oh, absolutely, Doc," Jenson says, organizing silverware and napkins on a tray as I lean on the table across from him, twirling my pen in my hand and trying to look casual. "I'm extra careful with the Alpha's trays – I know how important it is to keep his food separate from the others. Some of these new kitchen boys…" he trails off, shaking his head. "So, Mrs. Potts put me in charge of the Alpha's food. I work overtime, even, on banquet days."
The Alpha's wife is hosting another party that Friday evening, and the Alpha and I decide that it would be best if I was there the entire time that the Alpha is there. I will keep an eye on his food and administer his evening medication before dessert.It will also give me a chance to listen in on conversations as I circulate the room, and to watch for anyone who looks suspicious around the Alpha's food and drink. He's not allowed alcohol anymore, because I don't like how it mixes with his medications, so he sticks to sparkling water.
Marcus is more convinced than ever that Evelyn is somehow connected to Nicole's disappearance.There's something about her that reminds him so strongly of Nicole – perhaps it's the tone of her voice, or the inflection, or the way she unconsciously tucks her hair behind her ear while she's talking.Or maybe it's the way her eyes light up when she sees him. Or the way that a little smile hovers on her mouth when he teases her, like listening to him joke is her favorite thing in the w
The last thing Marcus wants to do is follow Charles up to his office for some alcohol-fueled private confrontation, but he has little choice. Gritting his teeth, he strides steadily behind Charles to the elevators in the foyer.They're silent on the way up to the office, and as they walk down the hallways to Charles's private rooms. It's not until they've shut the door and both taken seats at Charles's desk before Charles speaks."You need to concede your candidacy for Heir to your siste
By Sunday, Ty is finally recovered enough that I'm comfortable "discharging" him from the villa. It's a brilliant early morning in mid-June when I throw back his curtains and let sunlight stream into the room."Harrumph," Ty mumbles from a tangle of sheets. The weather outside is already warm, veering quickly to hot, but the villa's air conditioning system keeps the whole place pleasantly cool all day and night. Ty flings a pillow over his head and tries to burrow further into the bed."
Becki is in her room, which used to be Nicole's room. God, it took Paul long enough to finally give Becki this ensuite. She was in one of the guest bedrooms before, can you believe it? For years. Blah blah Nicole's childhood home, blah blah been her room since she was born, blah blah no reason to upend the whole household blah.It wasn't until Nicole graduated from high school that Paul saw the light and put Becki in the ensuite instead, shuttling Nicole down to a basement room where the bitch belonged from the start.