“It’s rude to speak in a foreign language around someone who doesn’t understand.”

“It’s rude to not take off your robe when you’re sleeping with a love-struck man. It’s torturous, in fact.”

“Love-struck?” She tossed me a skeptical look.

My other phone rang. Only my family had the number to the second phone and they were only supposed to use it for emergencies.

“You have two phones?” Elle asked.

“Sadly.”

Who the hell is calling and what in god’s name do they want?

I paused for a second. The earlier worries of the day crashed into me—deaths and bloodied clothes, my family and the lies they were keeping from me. The phone rang again like a sadistic dictator shoving me back in line to conform with the rest of the troops.

“You should answer it.” She ran her fingers through my hair.

That subtle gesture made me tremble against her. “Forget the phone.”

Someone turned the doorknob and then jiggled it. The door was locked, so they knocked.

Goddamn it.

“Yes?” I called out.

“Why is this door locked?” Grandma’s voice passed through the door with irritation.

“I’m busy.”

“You’re never busy.”

“What do you need?” My erection disappeared at the thought of my grandma directly outside.

“The guard won’t let me up to see Dayanara.”

Elle raised her eyebrows as if to ask me who that person was. I couldn’t risk going into that situation right now. Enough craziness existed around us. I couldn’t load any more on her. And to be truthful, I feared she would hear the story, throw her hands up in the air, and leave.

“Hold on, Grandma. I’ll be outside to talk about this more. Give me one minute.” I jumped up, grabbed my robe hanging off the side of the chair, and put it on as I rushed to the door. Thankfully, Elle remained on the bed without asking any questions and tightened her robe to conceal those beautiful breasts.

Just an hour or so for me to do what I would like. That’s all I need. They can’t just give me one goddamn hour?

Outside in the hallway, I shut the door behind me and guided Grandma to my office. “Why do you need to see Dayanara?”

She took in my disheveled hair and ruffled attire. “You were asleep?”

“Yes. I didn’t go to sleep last night so I took an afternoon nap.”

“Well, it’s nighttime now.”

“You didn’t answer my question. Why do you need to see her?”

“Why do I have to give you a reason? When did all of this start? I go upstairs and the guard says no one is allowed up there without talking to you first.”

“I want her guests limited.”

“Why?”

“Things are happening around me that I’m not aware of, so until everyone decides to tell me what’s going on, there will be new rules to follow.”

“You’re aware of everything!”

I stopped and faced her. “Were you walking around the grounds the nights both girls died?”

She held her hand to her chest and opened her mouth in shock. “Why would an old woman like me be outside so late at night? I can barely stay awake more than five hours or so a day without falling asleep in my chair as I knit.”

“Knit?”

She placed her hands on her hips. “I knit.”

I walked off and muttered, “Knowing you, you’re probably knitting intestines together.”

“I heard that!”

To my surprise, Detective White stood outside my office door. A neutral mask wrapped around his face—distant eyes and mouth shut but not turned up or down at the corners. Two large boxes rested next to his feet. He was supposed to search Reece’s living quarters.

Did he find something?

I hoped not. For all those years I’d known her, I would never have considered her as someone who harmed people for no reason. In fact, none of my family could’ve had anything to do with these girls’ murders.

But they knew something. Of that I’m sure. They’re hiding something from me.

Detective White spotted Grandma storming behind me. “I have some news, but this should be spoken of in private.”

“Fine with me.” Grandma jumped her little frame between us. “You just tell that lug head of a guard that I am allowed to see Dayanara. If I’m not, then I’ll have to deal with it in my way. You don’t want that and the gods don’t either.”

“No curses or itch charms or whatever else you’re thinking.” I pointed at her. “We have some things to talk about first. How about we meet for dinner in your cottage? I’ll have the staff make us something nice. We talk and then I’ll give you access.”

“Dinner? I don’t have time for—”

“Grandma, please. Dinner in an hour and I’ll take you up to Dayanara myself.”

“In one hour. Fine.” She marched off with her hands clenched into fists.

I opened my door. “Let’s talk in my office. Have you finished searching Reece’s quarters?”

“Yes. That’s what we need to talk about. I’m more than certain she was directly involved in these deaths.”

Tags: Kenya Wright Mystery
Source: readsnovelonline.net