It may have been my imagination or my fearstaking over, but it seemed that every time I looked in Jericho’sdirection that he was looking at me.
I leaned over to Viktor. “Is this where theyeat every day?”
“Nah. When I’ve spent the night, we eat in aroom near the back of the house. I think this is only used when biggroups come.”
So this room would not be a good spot for abug.
“I was thinking maybe they all ordered uproom service.”
“Right?” He nodded. “If it were me, I would.Guaranteed.”
“Yeah. If I had to walk a mile forbreakfast, I’d eat in bed.” I was hoping he’d give me a clue as towhere Jericho’s room was.
“You got that right.”
Backfire. How could I ask without itsounding too nosy or like I was interested in Jericho? I bit thebullet and said, “Do you think it would be weird if I asked him tosee his room? I’d like to see this big-as-a-house room. I’llprobably, no, I definitely will never have another chance to.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “You don’t need toask. I’ll take you up there myself later tonight.”
Double. No, triple backfire.
I sighed and turned to the girl sitting nextto me.
The first course was followed by lobstertail, and then dessert. I managed to choke down enough bites to notappear rude, but it was difficult. I hated seafood.
“Hey, do you know where there’s a bathroom?”I asked the girl sitting next to me, since Viktor was talking to aguy across the table.
“I’m not exactly sure, but you can ask thedude at the door. I’m sure he knows.” She pointed to a guy standingas sentinel near one of the closed six sets of doors around theroom.
“Okay.”
I stood and headed for the guy. Viktorgrabbed my hand.
“Where are you going?”
“To the restroom. I feel a bit sick.”
“Ah, yeah. I think there’s one right outsidethe room.” He gestured to a door.
“Thanks.”
Instead of asking the guy at the door, Itook the door Viktor had indicated. That would give me an excuse toexplore a little. Besides, because I had the house plans in myhead, I knew exactly where a bathroom was. My goal was to cross oneof the four living quarters off the list of possibilities of beingJericho’s room. Just as I got to the first landing of the wide,marble staircase, a man in one of the black suits at the bottom ofthe steps stopped me.
“Miss. Are you looking for a restroom?”
I turned slowly. “Yes! Is there one up herein Jericho’s room I could use?”
“I think you’ve got your bearings mixed up.That staircase leads to his parent’s wing. But there’s no reasonfor you to go all the way to Jericho’s room. There are severallavatories on the main floor. I’ll show you the way.”
“Oh! Great! It would be just like me to gothe complete opposite direction I’d intended.” I expected him tonegate or verify what I’d said, but he said nothing besides, “Rightthis way.” At least I’d eliminated one possibility.
After dinner, we put our coats on and madeour way outside to the expansive gardens, and we bunched uptogether right below the wide steps leading down from the enormouscolumned patio leading out to amazing grounds. Pools of water wereinset into a long walkway, some with beautiful, lavish fountains.It appeared to go all the way to Long Island Sound. Bare trees andbushes lined the sides. I could make out three swimming pools andwrought iron gazebos, and dormant rose gardens dotted theproperty.
Jericho remained, elevated on the cementpatio before us, and said, “All right. The game tonight is kick thecan.”
Shouts of All right, Right on, andWahoo sounded all around us, and kids high fived or pushedeach other a bit in celebration.
Viktor looked at me and grinned. “This willbe fun.”
I had to work hard not to shrink away fromhim. An involuntary shiver raced through me as he bumped into myshoulder.
“This version of kick the can,” Jerichocontinued, “has special rules. The object of the game is to get tothe can and kick it.” He pointed at the big can in the middle of agrassy area next to us. “Of course, the person who’s it willtry and prevent you from kicking the can. If he or she touches youbefore you kick it, you’re out and have to go sit in jail, overthere.” He pointed to a far section of the deck.
“The person who’s it is trying tocapture as many people as he can in the shortest amount of time.”He motioned to a huge whiteboard, which had all our names on it, onthe far side of the grassy area where the can lay. A man in jeansand a black winter coat stood next to the board. “Jeremiah, there,will keep track of the score. Whoever gets the highest score willwin whatever is in that mystery box.” A large box stood next to thescoreboard on the ground. “And believe me, you want it.” He flashedhis teeth again.
“There are a couple of twists, ofcourse.”
The place erupted like everyone had won acar. They were obviously expecting this.
“Take advantage of whatever ones you like.Here are the rules for hiding from the person that is it:the first round will be singles. Everyone has five minutes to hideon their own. No one can share the same hiding place. After tenminutes, Mr. Heyer, here,” he indicated a tall man with dark hairand eyes, “will let off a flare, letting you know it’s time todouble up. You will have three minutes to merge with someone else.If you can’t find anyone to pair up with, you have to go for thecan, and anyone who gets caught without
