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I let it be.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

Hazel nods once. “So was I.”

We sit in silence for a few more minutes. I don’t know what to say, so I change the subject.

“What do you think of the other maids?”

Hazel laughs. “Good heavens. That’s a pivot.”

“I know.”

She strokes her chin. “What do I think of them?”

“Yes.”

“Most maids are women who are just doing the best they can.” Her voice is even, and the words are slow. Carefully selected.

“That’s generous.” I cross my arms. “Charlotte and Tiffany are horrible.”

“They can be,” Hazel says.

I wipe my cheeks. “Audrey likes them, and she outranks all of us.”

Hazel lifts her chin. “I was hired long before Audrey,” she says. “Audrey may outrank you. And she may outrank me. But I’ll tell you this much. I’ve been here longer than any other member of this staff. And I know things that would shock the bleach right out of Audrey’s hair.”

26

NATHANIEL

Cain’s words stay with me long after he leaves.

You of all people shouldn’t shame others for delegating their dirty work.

All three of us have assigned our dirty work to others. It’s kind of what we do.

Except…

No.

Not all three.

Samson and I, certainly.

Samson is the muscle, but even he doesn’t always swing the fist himself. Men like us have people.

And me?

I’m worse.

I don’t break bones. I make the bones disappear.

But Cain…

I know so little about Cain.

He’s my brother, but in many ways, he’s the stranger Arthur raised while Samson and I were busy becoming useful in more obvious ways.