Page 35 of One Last Breath

“It’s quite all right,” I reply. “I understand.” I try one more time. “I only hope that you don’t get yourself into any trouble with them.”

He laughs, then turns gleaming eyes to me. I shiver when I see the coldness in those eyes. “Trust me, Miss Mary. It’s they who should worry about getting into trouble with me.”

He nods his head, then says, “Good day. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

Then he walks off the porch and gets into his own car, much smaller and less luxurious than the Greenwoods’ car. I watch him drive away, unsure of how I feel.

It could simply be paranoia, but there was something in George’s eyes just now that makes me wonder if he knows something about Lila Benson. Perhaps Lila’s disappearance involves more than just the Greenwood family.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The family returns an hour later, just as I return inside from my lunch. Elizabeth swoops me into her arms and says, “Oh, thank you, Mary. I’m so sorry to do that to you. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“She definitely deserves a bonus after putting up with that windbag,” Christopher remarks. “How long did he stick around talking your ear off?”

“Oh, not long,” I reply. “He had another engagement.”

“I’m sure you learned plenty about columns and balustrades and Greek Revival versus Romanesque versus the hair on his ass,” James grouches.

“Oh, James, enough,” Elizabeth says. “Mary’s dealt with enough today without having to hear your foul mouth.”

You don’t know the half of it, I think to myself. "It was no trouble, really. I taught middle school for a year once. Believe me, there is no man on Earth as annoying as two dozen thirteen-year-olds."

Annabelle laughs. “Was it the girls or the boys who were more annoying?”

“Yes.”

They all laugh at that. “Still,” Elizabeth says. “I think I will pay you that bonus. God knows I would have to be paid to listen to George Baumann quack.”

“Oh, please, ma’am,” I protest. “There’s no need for that.”

“It’s done!” Elizabeth says breezily. “James, take care of it for me.”

“Of course, my love.”

I smile. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth insists. “You have truly saved our lives.” She beams and says, “Would you like to join us? We’re going for a picnic on Hutchinson Island across the river.”

“Actually,” Annabelle says. “I was hoping I could steal Mary for the afternoon. I’m not feeling very well, so I think I’d like to stay home.”

Elizabeth’s expression changes instantly to one of concern. “Oh no, Annabelle! Are you all right? Is it your stomach?”

“It’s nothing, Mom,” she says. “I’m just a little queasy. I’ll drink some tea and get some sun. I’ll be okay. I’m sure Mary has some wonderful home remedies for nausea.”

“Peppermint tea,” I say, “It’ll soothe her straightaway.”

I feel a little nervous about being left alone with Annabelle, considering the temper I've seen, but most of the staff is here at this time of the day, and I don't think she could dispatch me before I could scream for help. Anyway, now that George has presented himself as a threat to the family, I begin to wonder if the Greenwoods might be innocent after all. If nothing else, Annabelle may be willing to share more about the feud that seems to exist between George and the family.

“Well, if you insist, dear,” Elizabeth relents. “But I expect you to rest. No traipsing about the gardens.”

“Oh dear Mother, how will I ever resist,” Annabelle asks drily.

“I think Mom forgets that children grow up,” Christopher jibes.

“I’m only trying to take care of you,” Elizabeth says, wounded.

“I’ll keep an eye on her, ma’am,” I say. I fix Annabelle with a playfully stern look and say, “There will be no frolicking or roughhousing on my watch.

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