The Keeping(150)

“Some nurse. She’s just here because she thinks it’s a cushy job. Hardly good enough for our young miss.”

“I believe Mr. Greyson might be inclined to agree with you. I overheard him chastising her just half an hour ago. Apparently, Miss Cassandra changed all the clocks on her and the woman didn’t even notice.” Franklin spoke in a conspiratorial tone and Cassie clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. For all his supposed dignity, the man loved a good gossip and was nothing but a teddy bear inside.

Cook laughed. “Serves her right. You have to be on your toes around our little miss. She’s a sneaky one.”

With that the two servants could be heard walking away.

Cassandra opened the door a crack and peeked out. Seeing that the coast was clear, she jumped down, landing lightly on the balls of her feet. After closing the door of the dumb waiter, she quickly headed towards the rear exit.

Knowing exactly where all the sensors and security cameras were, she began the careful process of avoiding each device as she made her way towards the woods where Mr. Aldrich had disappeared from sight. It was the long way around and would give him a considerable head start, but it couldn’t be helped if she wanted to avoid detection.

*****

Greyson put down the financial reports he was trying to read and rubbed the back of his neck. He always got a strange feeling there when something was wrong. His mother had said it was the fairies trying to warn him of danger. At the time, he’d scoffed; his mother’s old Irish tales had meant nothing to him. Yet, over the years, he’d learned to trust that tingling feeling. It had kept him from bad business deals and at least one attempt on his life. The last time he had ignored the sensation, his beloved Luisa had died.

Pushing back his chair, he stood and concentrated on the feeling. On occasion, he’d get some indication as to where the trouble might be coming from, but usually it was just a sense of unease that made him extra alert to those around him and their possible motives.

Nothing, he thought, was happening tonight. No business deals. No guests. Hmm... Perhaps he should check on Cassandra. Maybe the little minx was up to something. As he climbed the stairs, a horrifying possibility crossed his mind. Had she only pretended to take her pill earlier on? Was she on the verge of transforming?

Greyson quickened his pace. The nurse was with her, but had no idea as to the girl’s true condition. He wasn’t about to trust such sensitive information to a temporary employee, and all the nurses were temporary. If he kept one around too long, they might become suspicious of the medication...

He gave the briefest knock on Cassie’s door before pushing it open, without waiting for a response. A sigh of relief escaped him when he saw the lump in her bed. Turning to go, he noticed the window curtain had been pulled aside. Now that’s strange, he mused. Hadn’t he watched the girl close it? Pivoting on his heel, he studied the bed again, then stalked over. The lump was too large, to uniform... He yanked back the covers and found a row of strategically arranged pillows.

“Damn that girl!” He exploded, contemplating what he’d do when he finally got his hands on her. Didn’t she realize the danger she was putting herself in? Logically, he knew she didn’t, since she believed she merely suffered from migraines. But the part of him that was scared to death for her wellbeing wasn’t yet willing to acknowledge calm reason. He threw the covers to the ground in fury.

On the off chance that she was still in her suite, Greyson barged into the sitting room, surprising the nurse who was biting her thumb and hugging a pillow as she watched TV.

“Where’s Cassandra?” The barked question had the nurse jumping to her feet.

“In her room, resting. Just like always, sir.”

“Like hell she is!” Grabbing the woman’s arm, Greyson dragged her into Cassie’s room and shoved her towards the bed. “Look. Pillows! Dammit woman, when did you last check on her?”

“N-n-not too long ago.” The nurse stammered, nervously twisting her hands together.

“Well it’s been long enough for her to slip out on you!” Greyson fumed as he tried to figure out where his young ward might have gone. Remembering the crooked curtain, he strode to the window and looked out. Cassie had been staring at something earlier today, but what? He studied the view and realized the small safe house was visible from this window. Had she seen him and Aldrich talking earlier on? If so... He rubbed his chin. Aldrich’s car was back. Could Cassie have gone to investigate? It was worth checking.

Turning he saw the nurse still hovering near the bed. The woman was useless. “You’re fired. I want you out of here in less than an hour. Understood?”