“My, my,” she said, shaking her head. “I am so glad you’re here. It almost feels like old times. It does my heart good to see you.”
I nodded but couldn’t lie. “It feels different.”
She nodded, a serious look on her otherwise friendly face. “It is. That’s why it feels right to have you here. There was a time when we couldn’t keep you two apart.”
“Yeah, those were good times.” I cleared my throat. “Scarlett. How is she?”
Eunice narrowed her eyes at me and they flickered down to the tattoo before meeting my stare again. “Her mother sent her to Russia.” She sighed. “Something to do with the ballet.”
I knew this, of course. I knew everything when it came to her. Eunice lived with the family; she was privy to information no one else was. It was good to hear my information was correct, but that’s not what I wanted.
Eunice seemed to sense this. “She’s hurting. So much has changed since—”
A throat cleared in the background. Eunice and I both turned to find Pnina Poésy standing at the top of the winding staircase, looking down on us.
That’s about right.
Scarlett’s mother was a stunning woman. Her blonde hair was swept back, showcasing the angular shape of her face. She was dressed in all red, the color of blood.
Huh. A warning.
“Eunice,” she said, her eyes on me. “We’ll take refreshments in the office. Preferably something hot. Brando.” She nodded. “You’re welcome to join us. We’re ready.”
I nodded in return and thanked Eunice for taking my coat.
As I began to take the many steps to the office, Pnina hadn’t moved from her spot. Her eyes were fixed on the tattoo on my arm. Four steps before I reached her, she swallowed hard. Her eyes had turned into daggers.
She released the banister and turned from me, reaching the office before I did.
Her perfume swallowed up the space, but Everett’s expensive cigars and cognac were a subtle undercurrent. The tall man stood in the corner, a crystal glass in his hand, staring out the window.
When he heard us enter, he turned, his normally cordial features settling into friendliness. He met me halfway in, taking my hand and pulling me in for a one-arm man hug.
“Brando,” he said, his breath full of spirit fumes. “It’s good to see you, son.”
I agreed and took the seat he offered me on the leather sofa. He took a chair across from me. Pnina took the one next to her husband.
A picture of Scarlett in a girlie blue ballet outfit was framed in silver on the table that separated me from her parents. The queen of some country stood next to her.
The sight of my ballerina girl made my will harden even further.
Eunice came in then with a tray of coffee and cookies. To be polite, I accepted the coffee and took a bite of the cookie. Rarely did I do things to please other people, but I had a soft spot for the woman.
She knew this too. She smiled and winked at me as she made her way out, closing the door behind her.
Pnina sipped on her coffee. Everett added cognac to his. Setting the cup on the table, I cleared my throat.
“Thank you for seeing me today.”
“You never have to call to see us—”
Pnina cleared her throat, cutting Everett off. “This is not a friendly visit.”
Everett looked between us.
“Correct,” I said. “In one way. Though I still consider this a friendly visit.”
Pnina nodded, urging me to go on. I didn’t need her permission nor did I seek it. There was something else at stake.
