Page 59 of The Pansy Paradox
“More tea?” he asked once he could pull a full breath. He felt lighter, as if a stone had been lifted from his chest.
“Let me?—”
He pointed to a kitchen chair. “Sit.”
Instead, she lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you really did come here to fire me.”
“The Sight?—?”
“I didn’t invoke it or anything.” She shook her head, then raised her gaze toward the charming tin ceiling.
Ophelia would do that, as if the Sight were something constantly looming in the air above them. In his sister’s case, at least, perhaps it was.
“It was more of a nattering in the back of my mind,” Pansy added.
Henry could almost see it, another—perhaps more callous—version of himself, someone motivated by promises Botten had no intention of keeping, his “paperwork problem” chief among them.
“That was the gist of the assignment, yes.”
“And then you would stay on as a permanent post agent?”
“Not permanently, no.”
Pansy glanced away, and he had the distinct impression she rolled her eyes. Then she turned back to him, her expression filled with incomprehension.
“Why?”
“I can’t tell you because I don’t know why. All I do know is, the Little line has already been earmarked for retirement. I had hope that your mother could shed light on this situation, that it had something to do with the photographs my father left me.”
There was something devastating now in her posture. Again, the impression hit him. Pansy was here, all alone, and had been for a while.
“Can you tell me where your mother is?” He kept his voice low, coaxing, but already she was shaking her head.
“I can’t tell you where she is.” From her pocket, she removed a couple pieces of paper, torn from what looked like a yellow legal pad. “All I can tell you is what happened.”
Chapter 27
Pansy
King’s End, Minnesota
Tuesday, July 11
Before I can tell Henry Darnelle anything, he insists I sit. Perhaps he’s right, about that and the tea. The cup warms my fingers, the liquid my stomach, which has been churning in an icy ball ever since he put Professor Botten on speaker.
With care, I spread both lists on the kitchen table, turned so he can read them.
Never go into the housing development after dark.
Never go to the silo alone.
Never go to the covered bridge, period.
If the Enclave makes an offer, remember they always require something in return.
Trust no one from the Enclave.
When someone tells you they’re not betrothed, don’t believe them.
