Page 3 of Collin: Episodes 7-9
“What about you getting back safe tonight?”
There were muffled sounds, and then Linda’s voice came on. “Collin?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you checking on Ash?”
“Yes, ma’am. I wanted to make sure he got back safe tonight.”
“We’re having a sleepover.”
“Ellisandre…does sleepovers? Never mind. Not my place. I apologize.”
Linda chuckled. “I’ll get Ash to show you pictures. We found him a dino romper or onesie, I’m not sure what they are called. Fuzzy big outfit thing with feet and a hoodie, adult-sized. He’s adorable. Thank you for bringing him over.”
“Er…” Collin tried to keep his voice from spiraling. “Thank you. Truly.”
“Now go do whatever you’re doing with my brother and Émeric and Damian if he’s there. Don’t worry about Ash. We got him.”
“He’s sleeping in the office, lost his apartment,” Collin said in a rush. “So don’t let him fool you into dropping him somewhere random.”
“Thanks. I won’t. Now go relax.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Collin hung up. What in the world had happened? In what universe did Ellisandre…play? He blinked into space for several seconds. Somewhere in his brain, an emergency protocol was initiated, shoving the entire scene to the side and storing it in the “do not look at too hard” box.
Mr. Reevesworth left the bedroom and came back to the living room. “Everything all right, Collin?”
“Yes, I think so, sir. I mean, it’s confusing. I took Ash over to Ellisandre’s. and now it seems they’re having a sleepover and making Halloween cookies with Ms. Linda?”
“Oh, Halloween cookies. That’s their tradition. I’m glad they brought Ash into it.”
“I didn’t know they baked.”
“My sister took lessons from Émeric’s grandmother when we were in France. I’m not exactly sure how Ellisandre got involved, but they’ve been doing a Halloween baking week for years now. We’ll probably have a delivery to our office. Anyway, Émeric says he’ll just phone in the regular order from Medi’s. Artemis is snarling every time he moves, so he’s trapped.”
“Can I check on her?”
“Very quietly. But of course. I was going to ask you to take him some tea and a snack.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t forget to keep hydrating yourself. I’ll be asking how much you finished when I get out from being with Damian.”
“Yes, sir.”
Collin prepared a tray with what he’d learned were a few of Mr. Moreau’s favorite snacks and more tea. The Residency was truly going through tea today. Then he carried it all down the hall and knocked on the door. Mr. Moreau’s voice came softly from the other side.
It sounded like he had said enter, so Collin cracked the door. “Was that come in, sir?”
“Yes.”
Collin let himself in, shutting the door quietly. Inside the lights were all soft and low, and the one window near the walk-in closet was mostly covered by the curtain. Mr. Moreau lay on the bed in his normal place on the left. Artemis, her poor tail in a small splint and wrapped in white bandages, lay on his chest. She twitched her ears and tracked Collin’s movements through the room. Collin approached and went to his knees beside the bed. He put the tray on the bedside table.
“Hello, sir.”
“Good afternoon, Collin. I’m sorry I was so abrupt earlier.”
