by Raven Snow
They went their separate ways after that. Lady thought she would be put to work, but Ms. Poole let her get some sleep in her bedroom instead. It was a small miracle and one that Lady didn’t question.
She should have set an alarm. The next thing Lady knew she was rolling over in bed and noticing that it was significantly darker outside. She swore as she scrambled up into a sitting position. Was there anything worse than realizing you’d slept an entire day away? God, she hoped she hadn’t slept through dinner time. There was a missed call flashing on her phone.
Lady dialed the number back as she climbed out of bed. She went to her dresser and started opening drawers. She needed something to change into. A slept in band tee and jeans weren’t going to cut it. Shannon had said casual dress, but something told Lady that she didn’t mean quite that casual.
“Hello?” Dom answered the phone sounding annoyed. Did he ever not sound annoyed?
“Hey, sorry I missed your call earlier. What’s up? It’s Lady, by the way.”
“I know who it is.” There was movement in the background like he was multitasking while he spoke with her. “We still doing this thing or what?”
Lady could only assume he meant dinner. “Yeah, yeah of course. What time is it?”
“Seriously?”
Lady was kicking herself for asking. She should have just checked the time for herself and not let Dom realize she had carelessly slept in without an alarm… even though that was exactly what had happened. God, she felt like a lump. Did she have time for a shower?
“Do I need to pick you up?” asked Dom. He hadn’t told her what time it was, but that he was offering to pick her up was a good sign.
“Yeah, I’d appreciate that.”
“I’ll be there in forty-five.” He hung up.
Forty-five minutes. That was enough time to shower and do some basic makeup if she hurried. Lady grabbed her floral print blouse from a pile of dirty clothes. It and the jeans she had on would have to do. She hurried from her room and across the inn, praying the bathroom wasn’t occupied.
***
Lady managed to finish everything without a whole lot of time to spare. She went to the sitting room to put on her socks and shoes while she waited for Dom to show. Ms. Poole was at the fireplace, dusting the mantle. Her back was to Lady, but she still knew she was there. “You made it.”
“If you knew I was running late, you could have woken me up.”
“You’re an adult, and I’m not your mother.”
Lady wasn’t sure she had to be her mother in order to wake her up, but she couldn’t argue that she was supposed to be an adult. “I should have set an alarm.”
“Yes, you should have.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us tonight?”
“I’m quite certain.” Ms. Poole turned to face Lady. “You can handle this on your own, and if you can’t you have my number.”
“Speaking of having your number… Sorry for calling you so late last night.”
Ms. Poole shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. It was an emergency. You can always call me for those.”
It felt nice to hear her say. Lady felt herself smile. She started to say something but was interrupted by a horn blowing outside. She rolled her eyes and finished tying her shoes.
“I imagine that’s Dom,” said Ms. Poole, frowning in the direction of the door. “Tell him to knock like a civilized person next time.”
“Will do.” Lady hurried out to meet Dom before he could honk again. She had to duck back into the room before going outside. She had a black wool coat she’d found a good price on at the local thrift shop. It was a little heavy for the weather, but it felt more presentable than her hoodie.
It was windy outside, not that Lady felt the chill anywhere but on her face. Her hands were jammed in her jacket pockets as she trudged out to the car parked on the curb. It was Crispin’s dented compact, though it was Dom behind the wheel. “Crispin still at the library making bad financial decisions?” Lady asked in way of greeting as she plopped herself down into the passenger seat.
Dom grunted and threw the car into drive. “I’m trying not to think about it.”
“Ms. Poole says you need to act like a decent human being and knock on the door next time.”
“Or, hey, I have a better idea. Maybe you could wait out front.”
“It’s okay, Dom. I know it’s tough being neither decent nor human.” Lady belatedly buckled herself in. “So, have you heard from Conners?”
“Why would I have heard from Conners?”
That was a good point. “I guess we’ll just see him there.” It occurred to her then that she should probably fill Dom in on everything that had happened the night before. “By the way, we’ve pretty much confirmed it’s Beatrice skulking around his bed at night.” She proceeded to color in all the details, ghost scuffle with Otsuya and all.
“He should have let me put that sigil on his wall,” Dom grumbled, eyes on the road.
“I don’t see how that would have changed anything.”
“He’s got other people staying there with him. He’s being selfish and stubborn. What if someone had gotten hurt?”
“I’m not sure how hurt Otsuya could actually get.” Was Dom worried about her? Lady wondered. She supposed she would be worried about him if their roles were reversed. It wasn’t like she hated the guy. They were friends. Kind of. Vitriolic buds.
“Are you spending the night again tonight?” asked Dom.
Lady hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I don’t know. He really shouldn’t be alone.”
“He should stay at the inn with you.”
“I’m not sure he’ll go for that.”
“I’ll talk with him about it tonight,” Dom said in a way that suggested he’d do a little more than just talk.
Lady didn’t feel like talking him down. He was right. Things would be a heck of a lot easier if Conners just stayed with them at the inn.
***
The Antonie household was as needlessly huge as Lady remembered. The whole thing had been a boarding school for witches before Shannon’s mother had closed it down. It was a shame. Even now, the place looked like it would have been better suited as a school of some sort. She knew a great many of the rooms inside were closed off. The family didn’t need all that living space. They didn’t use it.
Dom parked in the drive, behind several cars. One of them was an old junker with an off-white body that didn’t match the black hood. It was the worst car in the driveway which meant it was probably Conners. “We’re not late, are we?”
Dom glanced at the clock on the dash before cutting the engine. “Nah, we’re fine.”
They got out of the car and headed for the front door. Lady rang the doorbell. “Chilly, huh?” Lady said, rocking back on her heels as they waited. She had noticed Dom shivering in his flannel over-shirt.
“Yeah.”
“You should have brought a jacket.”
“Shut up.”
“Like me.”
“Shut up.”
The door opened, revealing a beaming Shannon on the other side. “Lady! Dominicus! So nice to see the both of you.” She opened the door wider and stepped out of the way so they could enter. “Chet isn’t here yet. Conners is in the study with my husband.” She closed the door behind them. “Can I get your coat, Lady?”
Lady shrugged her coat off her shoulders and handed it to Shannon. “Thanks.”
“Care if we go to the den?” asked Dom, wasting no time.
Shannon bit her lower lip, pausing as she hung the coat up on a peg. “No, but… We don’t really use that room while Conners is here. I worry it would dredge up bad memories, you know?”
“That’s part of what we’re here to do, isn’t it?” Dom asked, directing the question at Lady.
“He’s kind of right,” Lady shrugged helplessly. “I mean, I’m not sure how seeing the room it happened in will help, but… as long as we’re here…”
“I suppose it would give you a better mental picture of everything.” Shannon had lowered her voice, like she was somehow personally betraying Conners by showing them where the shooting had taken place. “This way.” She started down the main hall. “Personally, I wanted to close off the whole room after it happened. We could open one of the other rooms, make that the den instead. Frankie wouldn’t have it, though. He said the room’s location was too central. He’s probably right.”
Shannon threw open heavy wooden double doors. They fed into a large room with a huge flat screen and a white sectional sofa. It certainly looked more lived-in than some of the other parts of the house. There was an open book on the sofa and a half-empty chip bag on the coffee table.
“We’ve redecorated a couple of times since it happened,” continued Shannon. “It doesn’t look anything like it used to.”
Dom walked to the center of the room and Lady joined him. She spun, trying to imagine what it would be like if she had the means to live like this. Surround sound, an entire bookshelf of records, matching furniture that had almost certainly been bought new. It was hard not to resent Shannon. Impossible actually. She’s still a nice person, she reminded herself. Don’t hate her just because she didn’t lift a finger to live a life you can only dream of.
“It happened over here,” said Shannon, reminding Lady that, oh yeah, there had been a shooting in this room. She watched as she walked to the right of the sofa. “The coffee table used to be here. The robber was there when I came in.” She pointed at the floor a few feet away. “There was carpet in here then. We tore that all out, obviously.”
“Where was Conners?” asked Dom.
Shannon frowned, deep in thought. “I’m not sure where he shot from, if that’s what you’re asking. When I came in, he was over here as well. He was trying to stop the bleeding. Obviously, it didn’t work, but he tried.”
“I was about where you’re standing, Dom.”
Lady wheeled around along with the rest of the room. Conners was standing in the doorway, an amber-colored drink in one hand. He sipped from it as he surveyed the den.
“Conners!” Shannon’s face was turning red. “I’m sorry, they wanted to see where it happened… so, ah…”
Conners shook his head. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He flashed her what was probably meant to be a reassuring smile. It was strained. He walked across the room, coming to a stop next to Dom. “I was here when I fired. The sofa was right there, to the right some.”
The air in the room felt heavy. Lady wasn’t sure if it was because of the tension or… something else. She looked at Dom, trying to see if he felt something similar. His expression didn’t betray anything.
“I thought we were getting together for dinner,” said a new voice at the door. “What’s everyone in here being so maudlin for?” It was a heavyset man in a button-up shirt and slacks. His graying hair was slicked back. He had beady little eyes and he smiled when those eyes landed on Lady. “Well, hello there. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Lady.” She held her hand out when he approached. His handshake was firm, too firm. It was like he was trying to overcompensate for something.
“She’s the young woman Ms. Poole hired on,” said Shannon. “Remember, dear?”
“That’s right!”
“Lady, this is my husband Frankie.”
“You’re the mayor, right?” Lady asked slowly. It was a dumb question, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
Frankie laughed, a loud and booming sound. “That’s right.” He clapped a hand on Lady’s back. “Don’t be starstruck. I’m a down to earth guy. You can ask anyone.”
Lady was pretty sure he was only half-kidding. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. I—” Frankie was cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing. “That’ll be Chet. Let me go get that.” He turned and walked from the room.
Shannon smiled a little wider. “Well, let’s all go to the dining room, shall we?” She gave Conners a pat on the shoulder as she walked past and out of the room. “Come on everyone. I’ll introduce you.”
Lady lingered with Dom and Conners in the den a moment longer. She watched as Conners drained his drink before setting it down on the coffee table. Dom raised an eyebrow at him. “You sure you’re okay to do this?”
Conners shot a look right back at Dom like he was crazy. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” He took a deep breath. “Besides, what am I gonna do if I’m not? Walk outside and drive away?”
Lady inclined her head, considering that as a possibility. “You could.”
“I’m fine,” Conners reiterated before walking from the room.
“He’s not fine,” Dom said plainly. “Keep an eye on him.”
“Noted.”
***
Chet looked about like Lady imagined someone with the name “Chet” would look. He had blond hair, exceptionally white teeth, and an argyle sweater vest. The gold watch on his wrist glittered as he shook Lady’s hand. In contrast to his brother, his handshake was a cold and limp thing. “It’s a pleasure, Lady. It really is. I’m always telling Frankie here I don’t know enough people in town.”
Frankie gave another booming laugh that was entirely too loud. “Actually, I think I’m usually the one telling you that.” He came over and put an arm around his brother. “Chet here is always jetting off to one country or another. I keep telling him he’s getting up there in years. He needs to put down some roots, find a nice woman, make an honest man out of himself.”
“Just haven’t met the right woman yet,” replied Chet, all smiles even though this exchange between him and his sibling felt false. It felt like a show they were putting on for the benefit of company. “Besides, travel is food for the soul.” He looked back to Lady, bringing her into the conversation again. “Don’t you think so?”
Lady glanced over her shoulder, not sure he was talking to her at first. “I wouldn’t know,” she said sheepishly. “I’ve never been out of the country.”
“Oh, now that’s a shame.” Chet’s face fell like she had just told him she was terminally ill. “Everyone should travel. The first chance you get, you need to see Paris. Promise me, Lady. Promise me you’ll see Paris.”
“I promise I’ll see Paris.” Lady glanced to Shannon for help. She knew she was here expressly to meet Chet but, God, she hated him.
“Why don’t we all sit down?” suggested Shannon, reading Lady’s look. “I’ll go to the kitchen and bring out dinner. Be back in a jiff.”
Lady followed as everyone migrated out of the foyer and through another set of heavy wooden doors. There was a long mahogany table in the dining room, and she planted herself down between Dom and Conners. The table was already set with fine china. There was a bottle of wine in the center of the table that Frankie went ahead and reached for. He tilted the bottle in the direction of his guests, inviting them to ask for a glass.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Chet passed his glass to his brother.
“I’m fine,” said Lady. “I’ve never been much of a wine drinker.”
“Same,” said Dom.
“What about you, Conners?” Frankie waggled the bottle at him next.
Conners hesitated, glancing in Lady’s direction before answering. “I’m all right, thanks.” Maybe she had made him self-conscious earlier. Good. They all needed their heads about them.
“Are you sure?” pressed Frankie. He gave Conners a knowing wink. “I can go get something else from the liquor cabinet for you.”
Conners forced a tight-lipped smile. “Maybe later.”
“Suit yourself.” Frankie poured himself a glass next. “Chet, I guess we’ll be the only delinquents here.”
“I’m all right with that,” laughed Chet.
Shannon came through a swinging door on the other side of the room. “Here I am,” she sang, bringing a casserole dish of lasagna to the table. She leaned past Chet to set it down on a row of pot holders. “Can I get anyone something
to drink?”
Lady pushed back her chair and started to rise, feeling weird just sitting there while Shannon waited on her. “I’ll help you.”
Shannon motioned Lady right back down. “Don’t be silly.”
“She loves being a hostess,” said Frankie.
“I do.” Shannon smoothed down a wrinkle in her blouse. “It makes me feel like one of those housewives on classic television. I never grew out of wanting to play house, I guess.”
“She’s definitely not like this all the time,” said Frankie, taking a sip of his wine. “It’s take-out and making your own microwave dinners most nights.”
“Oh, you.” Shannon swatted her husband playfully on the arm. “We have lemonade and sweet tea.” She went back to her previous question.
“Lemonade sounds good, thanks,” said Lady.
“Sweet tea,” said Dom.
Conners hesitated like he was still considering taking Frankie up on his previous offer. “Water’s fine, thanks.”
“Got it.” Shannon turned and hurried back out the swinging door.
Chet watched her go. “You got yourself a real catch there, Frankie. That’s the kind of woman I need to find.”
“Good luck. Shannon there is one in a million.” Frankie was all smiles, but it still sounded fake, like he was very aware that there was company present. Not that Lady had any reason to think he was a bad husband.
“So, I didn’t realize we were going to have company other than just me tonight” began Chet, zeroing in on Lady and the two men flanking her. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
“They were a late addition,” Frankie said, still all smiles. “You’ve met Conners and Dom before though, I think.”
Chet nodded slowly. “I think you’re right. I think I’ve seen Dom at some kind of family get-together. It’s been ages, though.”
“It’s been a while,” Dom confirmed.
“And Conners… Well, of course I know Conners.”
It was an awkward place to interject, but Lady wasn’t sure she’d get a chance to direct the conversation that wouldn’t be awkward. “You met him here, right? The night…” She trailed off. “Sorry, that probably isn’t good dinner conversation.”