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“Winters were the worst. Had to stay in shelters most of the time, just to keep warm. But Jackie was good about it.” A slight smile lights up her face, and I’m guessing she’s talking about her daughter. “She always woke up each morning and asked, Momma, what adventures are we going on today?”

“You must miss her while she’s at school.”

“I do. But … she gets the life I never had. She’s going to be important someday. Respected. Blackthorne is a respected name in those kinds of places.”

Those kinds of places meaning, anywhere but Tempest Cove. Basically, anywhere people have as much money as the Blackthornes and aren’t blinded by their gossip.

“Hey, I woke up last night, and my door was cracked. I forgot to lock it.”

“I didn’t mean to worry you. Just that, sometimes Lucian sleepwalks. In this place, it can be unnerving to see him pass by your bedroom. He looks like a zombie, or something. Really spaced out.”

“He’s completely out of it, then?”

“I once called out to him, not realizing he was asleep.” She sets dishes on the tray Jose must’ve used to serve the breakfast. “He turned very slowly and looked at me, like he was trying to decide what to do, then kept on down the hallway. But the way he looked at me had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.”

“That sounds like something out of The Exorcist.”

“Makaio thinks he has nightmares, from the time he spent in that mental institute.” She shakes her head, waving her hand in dismissal. “Not that I want to gossip about it. Forget what I said. I’m sorry.”

“Makaio the big guy?”

“Lucian’s bodyguard.” The dimples in her cheek as she tries to hide a smile tells me he’s something more to her, but I don’t bother to pry. “Anyway, it’s just better if you don’t answer the door.”

“And lock it.” I nod toward the plates she’s stacked on the tray, the food mixed together in one big massive slop. “Do you need help with those?”

“No. Probably best you don’t run into Jose in the kitchen. He tends to be touchy-feely.”

“Ah. Yeah, I’ll pass.”

“Catch up with you later, then.”

It’s almost eight-thirty by the time I reach the elevator, and I’m hoping that Mrs. Blackthorne got enough sleep that she won’t be needing another nap today, because the thought of sitting in the doll room, staring off at the walls, is enough to want to scratch my eyeballs out.

The elevator door opens on Rand, who offers only a half-smile as he exits the car. “I trust you slept well?”

“Yes, thank you. Best sleep I’ve gotten in a while.”

“Very good. And your first day with Mrs. Blackthorne?”

“Uneventful.”

What an understatement.

“I was thinking perhaps you could take her down to the piano room today. She’d love to hear you play.”

“Sure, I can do that.”

“Excellent.” Arms behind his back, he turns to face me, as I step inside the elevator. “The Master has important meetings today, so it’s best if Laura isn’t within earshot. She’s never been fond of business talk.”

“I’ll keep her entertained.”

With a sharp nod, he walks off, and I hit the button for the second floor. The doors open on the familiar doll room, one I’ve come to dread after yesterday, but the deep and hearty laughter I hear is a good sign.

I follow the sound to the most luxurious bedroom I’ve ever laid eyes on. Dark, rich wood furniture with gold trimming, paintings of cherubs and goddesses on the walls and ceilings, with lush greenery dotted about the wide open space. Perhaps the only room brimming with life in this place.

A man stands alongside Laura, where she sits in a wheelchair, allowing him to listen to her heart through the stethoscope.

“Steady as a metronome.” He tugs the ear-tips out and drapes the instrument over his neck. “Except for that slight flutter when I touched your hand.”