Eleanor and Jackson followed Corrine to the main floor then once again to the dining room. The table was set with three places, and some of the chairs had been removed, making the table feel less crowded. A young man in a chef’s jacket was standing stiffly in the corner. He pulled out the chair for Eleanor and Jackson sat opposite her.
“Would you care for a glass of wine before dinner?” The waiter asked.
“I’ll take a glass of red.” Eleanor said, a little too quickly. She felt almost as if she needed the glass of wine after a long day of traveling and a lot of information to process.
“For you, sir?” The young man asked. He reached for a bottle that was sitting on ice in the side table. He filled Eleanor’s glass halfway, while waiting for Jackson to answer.
Jackson leaned back in his chair and folded his good hand over his stomach. “I’m not much of a wine guy… do you have beer?”
“Certainly.” The waiter answered. “Which beer would you like?”
“Whatever you have on tap.” Jackson answered.
The waiter left the room, promising to return quickly.
Eleanor took a sip from her wine glass and gently sat it back down. Based on the tour of the house that the had just endured, she assumed that the glass was probably expensive and she didn’t want to break anything.
“What are you thinking, Ellie?” Jackson asked.
Eleanor drew in a deep breath. “I don’t know. This is all… surreal. It’s crazy. I mean, it’s completely freaking insane.”
Jackson grinned. “I know. But I don’t feel like we’re in danger in any way. I don’t think they lured us here to kill us and leave our bodies to decompose in the woods. I feel safe here. The security team seems competent.”
Eleanor glanced toward the hallway, expecting a staff member to appear at any moment. “No. It doesn’t have any weird cult vibes or anything either.”
This comment caused Jackson to chuckle.
“I think I’ll feel better when I get to talk to L. M. Quinn… if I could ask her a few questions, I would feel better. Hopefully she’ll be joining us for dinner. We’ll get to finally meet.”
“Really? You think she’ll eat with us peasants?” Jackson grinned.
“I think she’s the third place setting.” Eleanor motioned to the table setting at the head of the table. “In the mean time, I’m going to try and talk to as many staff members as I can though. But I have a feeling it’ll be like talking to the driver all over again…”
“Ah, so that’s what you were doing…” Jackson grinned.
“Really? You didn’t figure that out?” Eleanor lifted her glass of wine to her lips and took another sip. “You’re a cop.”
Jackson shrugged. “A little heads up next time.” He grinned.
The waiter arrived carrying a tall glass filled three-quarters of the way with amber liquid. The waiter placed the glass in front of Jackson. He resumed his spot in the corner of the room.
“What’s for dinner?” Jackson asked.
“The first course is a squash soup with a garden salad.” The waiter explained. “The second course is steak, and the third and final course is a caramel creme brulee.”
Jackson raised his eyebrows. “Wow, that sounds amazing.” He mused, reaching for his glass of beer.
Eleanor lifted her glass of wine and drained the remainder of the liquid inside. The waiter was at her side in a heartbeat to fill her glass again.
“Thank you.” Eleanor said. “So how long have you worked for L.M. Quinn?” Eleanor asked.
“About six months.” The waiter answered.
“Do you like working here?”
“Oh absolutely. This is the best job I’ve ever had.” He answered with a warm smile.
“Great.” Eleanor mused. “Have you read any of L.M. Quinn’s books?”
“Actually, before I got the job I’d never read any of her books. But since I got hired, I think I’ve read one?”
“Interesting. So, what is it like to have L.M. Quinn for an employer?” Eleanor took a sip from her wine.
She reminded herself to slow down. She wanted to remain clear and level headed so she could gather as much information as possible.
“I’m sorry, I can’t answer that. I signed a-”
“-Confidentiality agreement. Right.” Jackson finished. “We’ve been hearing that phrase a lot.”
“Okay. Can you tell me what she’s like as a person?” Eleanor asked.
They were interrupted by a flutter of activity. Corrine swept into the room, followed by the head chef. The chef was pushing a hotel cart draped in a white sheet.
Corrine swept through the dining room, reaching the top of the table. She quickly cleared the third place setting, and handed it to the waiter who was waiting nearby. “How is everything?” She asked.
“Good, thanks.” Jackson said.
“What’s going on?” Eleanor asked as the chef placed a soup and salad plate in front of her. The waiter placed an identical plate in front of Jackson.
“There has been a slight change of plans for today,” Corrine explained, folding her hands neatly in front of herself. “Miss Quinn had planned to dine with you, however she is otherwise engaged and is unable to attend the meal.”
Eleanor sat forward on her seat. “Why? What has changed?”
“Miss Quinn is under the weather at the moment. She fully intends to catch up with you tomorrow. But for now, she is indisposed.” Corrine explained evenly.
“But we will have a chance to meet her tomorrow for sure?” Eleanor asked.
“Tomorrow, absolutely. I know it is not exactly what you had planned for the evening, but on the plus side you two will have your evening to yourselves. You can spend it however you wish.” Corrine offered.
Jackson stopped shoveling soup into his mouth. “That’s okay. I’m kind of tired. I mean, it was a long day of traveling…” He mused, looking up at Eleanor. “This soup is delicious, by the way. I’m not even a particularly huge fan of squash.”
The chef beamed happily.
Eleanor decided not to press the issue further. She picked up her spoon and stirred her own soup.
The chef left the dining room, and the waiter left behind him carrying the third place setting. Corrine stood silently for a moment.
“I know that this is not ideal, and it doesn’t set you at ease at all. But I can assure you that Miss Quinn is eager to do this interview, and wants to start the interview as much as you do. Miss Quinn would not be canceling on your engagement if she didn’t have a good reason.” Corrine explained.
Eleanor nodded. “No, it’s okay. I understand. Trust me, I’ve interviewed people who are a lot harder to track down.”
“I apologize sincerely.” Corrine said in her soft, barely noticeable English accent.
“It’s okay, really.” Eleanor said. “You know, maybe I could interview some of the staff in the mean time? I won’t ask anything incriminating. I’ll just ask if they like their boss and their jobs-”
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to. The staff here are screened carefully and are strictly bound by a confidentiality agreement, unfortunately. But I can assure you that tomorrow Miss Quinn will answer all of your questions.”
Eleanor heard Corrine’s phone buzz in her pocket. Eleanor knew automatically who was texting her, without having to ask.
Corine straightened. “But I’ll let you eat. Please enjoy your meal, and we’ll talk after.”
Before either Jackson or Eleanor could say anything, Corrine was out of the room.
Jackson finished his soup and took a long drink from his beer. “You know, just when I think that things are kind of half way normal around here, things go all twilight zone again.” He mused.
Eleanor smiled and poked at her salad with her fork. “It is weird, hmm?” She mused.
“It’s weird, but understandable. It’s possible that she is just working hard on something and can’t be disturbed. It’s also possible that she’s sick or has a headache or even the flu. It’s even remotely possible that she’s been abducted by aliens…” Jackson began, eagerly forking his salad into his mouth. He wasn’t much of a salad eater, but he was eating like he hadn’t eaten in months.
“It’s also entirely possible that she doesn’t exist and that we’ve been sent here on a wild goose chase.” Eleanor sighed. She reached for her wine. She needed more liquid courage.
* * *
After dinner, Eleanor and Jackson sat at the table while the last of their dishes were cleared. They had both been brought hot drinks and cookies to finish their meal. Jackson had asked for a coffee, and Eleanor had asked for tea. Eleanor knew that it was getting late; it was dark outside. They could no longer see the lake or the mountain through the window; but the view of the stars was almost equally as breath taking. Eleanor knew that if she drank a cup of coffee this late at night, she would never be able to get to sleep. And she wanted to get as much sleep as she could.
The next morning she intended to get up early and do a bit of looking around. She knew it was probably a lost cause, but she wanted to try and talk to some more staff. Surely not all of them had signed confidentiality agreements.
Jackson leaned back in his seat and yawned.
Corrine returned, circling the table quickly and efficiently. “How is everything?”
“Great.” Jackson said. “Everything has been great so far. It’s kind of like a big hotel with all this wait staff. I feel like a celebrity.”
Corrine laughed softly at that. “Wonderful.”
Eleanor lifted her mug of tea and took a small sip. The tea was warm and comforting.
“I can escort you to your accommodation when you’re ready,” Corrine said.
Eleanor looked at Jackson, who was doing a poor job of trying to hide a yawn. “You know, I think I’m ready to go. I’d like to unpack a bit and get settled before bed.”
“Yeah, me too.” Jackson agreed.
“Okay.” Corrine said, “If you’ll follow me please…” She waited for Jackson and Eleanor to stand before she led them from the dining room.
Corrine led them down the hall. Instead of stopping at the entry hall to take the stairs up to the second floor, she continued walking.
“We aren’t going upstairs?” Jackson asked.
“Unfortunately no. Miss Quinn has requested that the two of you stay in the bunkie.” Corrine said, leading them through the rest of the house. When they reached the television room, Corrine opened the door and led them outside into the court yard. The air outside was cool, but not cold enough to require a jacket.
Jackson moved his arm around Eleanor.
Eleanor could feel her blood begin to boil. She couldn’t believe that they were being forced to stay in a bunkie. What was the point of being shown the massive manor and all of the spare bedrooms if they were being housed in a different building?
Corrine led them out of the court yard, to a stone pathway. The pathway lead into the woods, and seemed to disappear in the brush.
Eleanor reached for Jackson’s good hand, squeezing it tightly in hers. Jackson squeezed back reassuringly.
The pathway opened up, and was lit by a string of Christmas lights. It lit the way just enough that the path was perfectly visible. It was less than a two minute walk to the cabin. They were standing in front of a dark cabin. There was a wooden door, with a small window on either side. The curtains were drawn inside, but there were lights on inside.
“We can take it from here.” Jackson said.
“Of course. You’ll find your belongings in the master bedroom.” Corrine nodded. She reached into her pocket and produced a key. She placed it in Eleanor’s hand. “Have a good night. And don’t forget that you can call me at any time, day or night. You can call any of the other staff as well. Breakfast will be ready for you in the morning. You can have it here or in the main house if you wish.”
“Thanks.” Jackson said.
Eleanor deliberately didn’t speak. She waited until Corrine started back up the path to the main house before she spoke.
“Can you believe this?” Eleanor demanded. “We’re brought out to this massive mansion on this beautiful piece of land, and multi-million dollar bedrooms, and then we’re forced to sleep in a cabin? This is crap. This is horse shit.”
“Ellie, maybe it’s not so bad.” Jackson said, taking the key from her hand. He fit the key in the lock and went inside.
“It’s ridiculous! When I see that woman in the morning, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind!” Eleanor stepped inside and shut the door behind her. “This was not in the agreement! This was not-”
“Eleanor look!” Jackson interrupted.
Eleanor stopped in the middle of kicking off her shoes. She looked around and her mouth dropped open.
They were standing in the middle of a beautiful, minimalist cottage. The ceilings were high and vaulted, stretching up at least twenty feet at the highest point. In one corner stood a small kitchenette with pristine white cabinets, a marble counter top and white back splash. An island stood in the middle with three barstools on one side. Eleanor followed the pretty pine floors to an all white living room, filled with expensive furniture. A large stone fireplace stood on one wall, with a wood burning fire crackling in the hearth. A beautiful rustic chandelier balanced the room. Above the fireplace was a large flat screen television.
Much like the house, the far wall was made entirely of windows and doors. The bunkie was situated further on the hill, and just outside the doors was a large balcony with what would be a beautiful view of the lake and mountain in the day light.
“Ellie, come and look at this!” Jackson said from another room.
Eleanor followed his voice through the open door into the bedroom. She found herself standing in the middle of a large master bedroom, decorated again with a designer’s touch. In the center of the room was a large king sized bed, dressed in perfect white linen. The headboard was a padded white linen. The fireplace from the main room was double sided, and the same fire burned and crackled in the bedroom. The wall of this room was also filled with windows and double doors. One of the sets of doors was wide open, letting in the cool night air.
Eleanor ran her fingers along a low dresser, and walked into another room. This room turned out to be the bathroom. She stood in the middle of a pretty, white bathroom. There was a double sink. A large shower occupied the far wall. Glass mosaic tiles stretched the length of the wall and ended in clean glass doors. The shower had at least half a dozen shower heads. A large freestanding tub sat in the middle of the room, perfectly positioned so that with the door open there was a perfect view of the bedroom and the lake below.
“Are you kidding?” Eleanor demanded. “This bathroom is bigger than our kitchen!”
Eleanor found Jackson in the bedroom, stretched horizontally across the bed. He stretched his good arm over his head. “These are the most comfortable sheets I’ve ever laid on!” He grinned.
Eleanor sighed and dropped her body into one of the comfortable chairs by the fire. She looked around and noticed that their baggage was stacked neatly by the taller dresser by the bed.
Jackson grinned. “And you thought it was a crappy little cabin.”
“They called it a bunkie!” Eleanor protested. “What was I supposed to think? I was expecting some tiny little hut in the middle of nowhere. Especially compared to the massive house that we just left. You have to see why I was so pissed about it.” Eleanor bargained. “Besides, we’ve been traveling most of the day, I didn’t sleep. I’m exhausted and cranky.”
Jackson grinned. “I get it, makes sense.”
“This is…” Eleanor began, finding herself at a loss for words. She looked up at the vaulted ceiling, the low hanging ceiling fan.
“Surreal?” Jackson asked.
Eleanor nodded. “It feels even more too good to be true now.”
Jackson sat up. “Hell, if they’re going to torture and kill us, I might even be okay with it. I mean, if I get to stay here a bit longer.”
Eleanor laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think they’re going to torture and kill us. I think they’re up to something, but I don’t think that’s it.”
Jackson was awkwardly twisting out of his arm sling. He managed to get it off and he tossed it to the upholstered bench at the foot of the bed. He struggled, but managed to get his shirt over his head.
“What are you doing?” Eleanor asked.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but this may be the only time I ever get to sleep in sheets this nice. So I’m sleeping naked.” Jackson stood and dropped his jeans to the floor.
Eleanor shook her head. “I’m going to look around a bit. Maybe see if I can make myself a cup of tea.”