by Kari Shuey
Dialing her brother’s number, she wasn’t surprised when he picked up the phone on the first ring. He was an early bird and liked to get up with the sun.
“Hey Abby. What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing much I guess,” Abby sang. “Well, except I got a promotion.”
“That’s cool. What are you doing now? Cleaning mansions?” Owen teased.
He never thought she would stay in the cleaning business. In fact, he made fun of her for her choice of career, but he didn’t realize just how well it paid when you found a good company. “Not far off, actually. I just got hired to be a live-in housekeeper for a pretty wealthy guy.”
“Good for you, sis. Not bad I guess.”
“Yeah, I get free room and board. I take care of his house when he is gone and I do a few other things to make sure the house runs smoothly…”
He must have heard something in her voice. “But…?”
“But… he’s a suspect in a murder. All the evidence is circumstantial though so who knows who actually did it.” Abby couldn’t help herself as she practically blurted all the information out at once.
“… What evidence exactly?”
Hesitating, Abby paused. “Well, the victim was found in his house.”
“Abby! Are you telling me you are working for the rich guy in Boise who killed his housekeeper? How can you be so stupid!”
“But you always said that not all criminals are bad!” Abby defended herself. “You’ve had your share of run-ins with the police!”
The pause on the other end signaled she’d touched on a sore subject. “No, I said not all people who break the law are bad people. Someone who drives over the median on the freeway will get a misdemeanor, but that doesn’t make him a bad person. People who kill other people are definitely bad people! Did you tell mom yet?”
“No! And I don’t think I should. She would just worry about me.”
“Darn straight she would! Abbs, I don’t want to tell you what to do or anything, but you probably need to really consider what position you are putting yourself in. If you feel this is the right move for you, I won’t get in your way. Heck, I won’t even tell mom. But make sure it is what you want.” His genuine concern was apparent, and she could tell he wanted to tell her exactly what to do. But she appreciated that he respected her enough to let her make her own decisions.
“Thank you, Owen. I’ll make sure I check in with you if anything feels off. But as it stands, I have a comprehensive background check on him and I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.” They finished their conversation, got off the phone. Abby felt a little more uneasy than she had expected. Her brother had a point. A dead body in one’s house was the one thing she shouldn’t have allowed herself to brush off. Maybe she was making a huge mistake.
***
Abby made her way, car loaded down, through the vineyards once again to the Saxe property. There was nothing to be afraid of. If the police thought he was a threat they would have done something by now, right? And in a worst-case scenario, he is the murderer but it was a specific vendetta against the girl. He wouldn’t harm her necessarily, right?
Pulling up to the gate, Abby typed in the pin code to gain access. The perfectly oiled hinges swung out, eerily welcoming her to her new temporary home. As it shut behind her, she fought the instinct to feel trapped. She could leave whenever she wanted. She could quit if she needed to. She was still free. She hoped.
Now that she was a resident, she was asked to park her car in a specific location on the side of the house. She didn’t mind having an outdoor parking space. She’d never lived in a place where she had a covered parking space and it was never an issue in the past. Gathering her belongings, she wandered up to the front door and entered a different code on the deadbolt’s keypad. Once inside, she paused. The house was unnervingly still. It was a different kind of quiet, one that spoke of death. Having never put much stock into the paranormal, Abby was beginning to change her mind. She could feel that something bad had happened. And now that there wasn’t the buffer of another human being to even it out… she was slightly spooked.
Abby placed her belongings in the room set up for her and wandered through the house. Mr. Saxe wasn’t due to arrive home for quite a few hours, so it wouldn’t hurt to get acquainted with the home in his absence. With him gone it was easier to scrutinize things the way she preferred when she was preparing to clean. The home was immaculate. She didn’t understand why he insisted on having a housekeeper when there wasn’t really a need for one. He could have just as easily hired a laundry woman or a monthly cleaner.
Lightly brushing her fingers along a few surfaces, she noticed maybe an accumulation of two weeks worth of dust. There were dishes that could be done. The laundry in the basket was ready to be washed, dried and folded, and after the police had ransacked his place – the floors could be vacuumed.
Abby wondered where the body had been found. Had Mr. Saxe already hired a clean-up crew to handle it? Were they so good that there wouldn’t be any evidence of it for her to find? Abby went room by room to see if she could find any indication that a struggle took place. According to almost every crime T.V. show: a struggle resulting in a murder would be messy. Yet, she couldn’t find anything that would tell the story of a violent man.
Rather than focusing on the morbid situation she was in, Abby started on what little work there was to be done. She began with the laundry – filling the high-end washer with a load of white clothing. Moving into the kitchen to get rid of the mess in the sink and the smattering of crumbs that lay on the countertop, Abby then pulled out her phone to listen to music. The house was too quiet for her liking.
Once the kitchen was handled, Abby found the vacuum and made her way through the house. She paused at her employer’s office door and considered going in just so she could feel she completed the job but thought better of it. If Mr. Saxe wanted her to stay out of his workspace, she should respect that. The majority of the house was straightened up when the washer sounded an alert it was done and ready to be transferred to the dryer. As she wandered past the window near the guest house, she stopped and contemplated the security guy who was monitoring the property. It seemed like an odd waste of time to her. The land was gated, the property was out of the city. Obviously, his job was going to be mundane. She wondered if he was bored sitting out there all alone. Maybe she should bring him something to eat. So completely engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t realize she’d been staring at the guest house with such a fixated curiosity.
“I wouldn’t bother trying to make friends with Windsor. He’s a little rough around the edges.”
Abby jumped, startled. She froze having not heard anyone enter the house. There had been no sound of a garage door, nor click of a doorknob. And yet if she turned around, she knew exactly who would be standing behind her.
Chapter 4
Slowly turning around to face her employer, Abby braved a glance at his face. She was surprised to find he was not looking at her. Instead, he seemed focused on the guest house. His features were unreadable, but handsome all the same. She noticed he hadn’t shaved in a while, and the scruff developing around his jawline only added to his rugged good looks.
What was she thinking? He was a suspect in a murder, and she knew nothing about him!
Her gaze shifted to the guest house questioningly. She wondered what he must be thinking. Maybe he was second-guessing his choice in relocating to the area. Or perhaps he was concerned about those he was allowing to live on his property.
“I see you got a great deal accomplished today.” Mr. Saxe spoke up again, moving away from the window and into the kitchen. He pulled out a couple of glasses and filled them with ice water. Offering one to her, he took a sip from his own. Mr. Saxe leaned up against the countertop behind him and shoved his hand into his suit pocket. “Did you have any issues finding anything or putting anything away?” He seemed to be appraising her, calculating something as he observed her.
“No sir. Everything was fairly easy to manage.”
Mr. Saxe nodded curtly. “That’s good then.”
“In fact, I was somewhat confused why you would need a live-in housekeeper when the place is pretty immaculate as it is. Most people would simply hire someone to come over daily. I worry you are overpaying for something you could save on.” Abby took a swallow of her water and stood awkwardly, wondering if she should find a place to sit or if she should excuse herself to her room. Her checklist for the day was done and she could take care of her own unpacking now.
They stood in silence, neither having anything to say to the other. It was as if he dismissed her comment as ridiculous. Abby felt out of place and unsure of where she should go. This was all new territory to her and she wanted to get her bearings before assuming what her evening responsibilities would be.
“Mr. Saxe? Can I ask you something?”
He met her gaze with a raised eyebrow, an invitation to go on.
“As my position requires me to stay on the property, what would you like from me in the evening when you arrive home? Is there anything specific you need me to do?” She put her glass down and ran her fingers along the island out of habit.
He considered her questions. “I think we went over the majority of your responsibilities. However, I guess now would be as good a time as any to discuss the issue of meal preparation. Have you given it any more thought?”
Shrugging, Abby gave him a small smile. “I am no chef. But I do enjoy cooking. If you can give me a schedule of when you will be home, I would be happy to prepare something for you.”
Mr. Saxe grunted quietly in acceptance of her response. He took one final swig of his water and placed his cup in the sink. Abby watched him retreat out of the room and thoughtfully compared him to other men she had met. He was quieter and had built a wall around himself. Obviously he was wealthier, and probably smarter too. A man that young didn’t get to be as well off as he was without being intelligent. He didn’t seem overbearing… but that could come out of the woodwork. She wouldn’t be letting her guard down any time soon while working for him.
Abby heard a door down the hall close quietly, and she assumed he had entered his office. Even with Mr. Saxe home, the house seemed too quiet. She headed to her own room and began unpacking her belongings. Was this what it would have been like if she became a nanny? Not feeling quite comfortable to call the space home, but having nowhere else to go?
Abby changed into some comfy clothes, preparing for her evening routine. She sat on the edge of her bed, lightly bouncing and wondering what she should do now. It was too late for dinner, and she didn’t feel comfortable looking through the cupboards for a snack she could make while she watched a show. Poking her head out her bedroom door, she listened intently for her new employer. Would he still be working in his office? Maybe he had retreated to his room for the night. She flipped her light off and wandered into the entertainment room. Grabbing a throw and the remote, she settled down onto the couch. She was able to figure out the television without difficulty and flipped through the channels. Abby found a crime drama and snuggled into the blanket.
Being so invested in the show, she didn’t hear Mr. Saxe leave his office. The main character in the show was going into an abandoned building, which is always a big no-no. The scene got quiet and just as the loud score of music blared through the speakers, Mr. Saxe was standing only about two feet away. Abby screamed and nearly jumped out of her skin. Her hands shook slightly as she glared at the tall man in the shadow of the room.
He looked amused as his gaze shifted from Abby to the television screen. “You must love suspense. Why on earth would you choose a show about that,” he motioned to the television, “when you are practically living it?”
Abby shrugged. “I guess I’d rather watch something fictional then consider the very real situation surrounding me.”
His expression sobered. For a second, she felt ashamed. He had been through a lot in the last couple of weeks and she didn’t need to point it out. Mr. Saxe left the room without another word and Abby thought maybe she needed to retreat to her room. She felt unwelcome now. Priding herself on being a good guest, she had failed epically this evening. Just as she was about to flip the television off, he returned in his own loungewear. She watched him leave again, return with a soda can, and make himself comfortable on an easy chair nearby.
Abby felt out of place. She offered the remote to him, implying he could change the channel, but he waved it off. They sat there watching the show together in silence. Now Abby didn’t feel she could leave without coming off as disrespectful. So she stayed put, trying to forget that the person watching a movie with her was the very rich, very handsome – potential murderer - Mr. Gavin Saxe.
***
The following day, Abby continued to find things she could do to deep clean the house. She took some time to plan a menu for the month and also figured out a time in her schedule when she could get groceries. Mr. Saxe had very little in the way of dry-cleaning that needed to be done. Apparently, he had more common sense than the average millionaire. There was one item she needed to take in to get cleaned, but she didn’t know if she should wait and take a couple things or get it cleaned immediately. She made a mental note to ask him about his preferences.
She called her brother and let him know how respectful her new employer appeared to be. He told her despite all of that, she should probably look into getting a concealed carry permit and buy a gun. She laughed that notion off, but then when they hung up, she contemplated the benefits. The area was growing at an astronomical rate and crime was bound to increase. Even if she lived in a gated, secure home… she would probably benefit from a personal form of protection.
As she prepared to go on her errands, she glanced out the window and noticed the landscaper. He must have arrived moments earlier. She observed him quickly going about his business. His muscles flexed as he shifted the edger to cut the grass along the perimeter of the yard. Abby wondered if the police had looked into his background because of his freedom to come and go and his access to the property.
She gathered her lists and got into her car. She watched the man work on the yard from her seat. He made eye contact a few times as if sizing her up. They acknowledged one another with a simple nod and he got back to his work. Abby shuffled the papers in her hands and placed them on the passenger’s seat. A tap on her window startled her and she looked up at the landscaper’s face smiling at her through the window.
His features made her want to trust him immediately. Someone who worked with their hands, and knew hard work always seemed to put her at ease. There was a common understanding between the working class that seemed to say we’re the same. His brow was shiny as the beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. His dusty brown hair and chocolate eyes seemed to beseech her to open her window.
Abby quickly rolled down the window and smiled up at him. “Hi,” she said.
“You must be the new housekeeper.” His voice was warm with a hint of flirtation.
“That’s me. I’m Abby. Abby Russell.”
The man chuckled. “Well, Abby Russell, welcome to the team. I’m Oliver. Look, I’m sure you have heard a lot about what’s been going on lately. I just want you to be careful. Mr. Saxe is a great guy on the surface… but let’s face it… we all have our secrets. See you around.”
Abby watched him retreat back to the work at hand. He seemed friendly enough, but she wondered why he felt it was necessary to warn her about Mr. Saxe. He worked for him, didn’t he? Abby put her car into drive and made her way off the property. Once she got past the gate, she took a deep breath and sighed. So far, this new job wasn’t more difficult, which was nice… it was just a different kind of stress. She turned on her radio and the news was reporting the police had confirmed Mr. Saxe’s alibi and they were looking into other suspects. He was being asked to stay in town but would be taken off their suspect list unless new information surfaced.
Abby shoo
k her head and changed the station. She couldn’t believe she thought he was the murderer. He had too much to lose, honestly. Why would he kill his own housekeeper? She realized she was relieved. Some part of her was worried he was the killer and yet she still took the job. Was something wrong with her? Attempting to think of something completely different, she started to sing along to the song that was playing. She was actually looking forward to dinner tonight.
Grocery shopping was quick, and Abby decided to stop in at her apartment to make sure everything was safe. The moving company was scheduled to come tomorrow, and they would be storing the majority of her belongings at their storage location. Nothing was out of place, and as she wandered through her small home, she knew she would miss it. It was the home that she moved into when she started working for Mr. Perkins. It held a lot of memories and it suited her perfectly. It was her own retreat from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Abby gathered a few more things she wanted to have with her at the Saxe property. She wanted a few books and a handful of things she preferred to use in the kitchen. Putting them all in a bag, she looked around the apartment one more time. Then she made the drive back to her new home.
Once back at the property, Abby noticed Oliver had left. She pulled out all the ingredients for her favorite chicken dish, happy to be cooking for more than just herself. She carefully prepped everything and within an hour, the house smelled like garlic parmesan chicken. Mr. Saxe was due to arrive home shortly and Abby was almost excited to see his reaction to her surprise meal. She wandered over to the window facing the guest house and contemplated inviting Windsor. He would likely decline, too busy with work. Resolving to share, Abby dished up a serving and headed out the back door. She knocked quietly, bracing herself to interact with the cold man living a few hundred yards away. She heard shuffling and looked down to the doorknob as it turned. Peeking out the small slit in the door, Windsor looked at Abby expectantly.