“You two walked from town all the way here, ignored a ‘No Trespassing’ sign, came onto private property and first you say you’ll walk up but now you say it’s too late for me to drive you? Listen, you two are either going to get into that car or I’m going to call the sheriff because something isn’t right here.”
Michael and Damien gulped, glancing at each other. “Well,” Michael said, “I guess we’ll take the ride then.”
“You sure this is a good idea?” Damien whispered as they approached the car to get in.
“Well, better this than getting arrested. Let’s hope Josie is up there and isn’t too mad to vouch for us.”
Without a word, the man slid behind the wheel. He fired the engine and swung the car around toward the house. Within a few minutes they were approaching a large, gothic-style house. Michael and Damien peered from the windows of the car at it.
“That’s one spooky house,” Damien mumbled.
They pulled up to the front door, and they all exited the car. “This way,” the man said. He motioned them through the front door. They entered the foyer, both of them gaped around at the entryway. They noticed a woman coming across the foyer. “Oh, Mrs. Stanton,” the man said.
“Yes?” the woman answered.
“I found these two characters hanging around near the end of the driveway. Claim they know Mrs. Buckley.”
“Oh?” The woman eyed Michael and Damien. “Well, let me get her, she’s in the sitting room. Celine? Celine!” The woman called through the doorway.
“Umm,” Michael began, “I think there’s been a mistake, we were looking for…” He stopped mid-sentence as Josie appeared at the doorway, accompanied by the man from the motel.
“Celine, Henry discovered these two men on the property. They say they’re friends of yours?”
Josie was staring at them both. Damien surmised if looks could kill they’d both be dead many times over. She sighed. “Oh yes, I know them.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Mrs. Buckley, had I known, I would have picked them up from the train station, they didn’t have to walk from town.” The man turned apologetic.
“No problem, Henry. I didn’t realize they were coming. They weren’t expected,” Josie answered, glaring at the two of them.
“Well, I’m glad you made it, would you all like to join us in the sitting room for a nightcap?” Charlotte asked, the picture of politeness.
“I’d like a moment to speak to them alone and then I’m sure they’ll need to be on their way. I assume they’ve got an early morning train to catch back home.”
Michael opened his mouth to answer but Henry beat him to it. “No, won’t be another train passing through all weekend, Mrs. Buckley. They don’t run trains no more on weekends here. They won’t be able to get out of town until at least Monday.”
Josie closed her eyes a moment, gathering her thoughts. Before she could respond, Charlotte was taking over, always the gracious hostess. “Oh, heavens, well, I’m sorry to hear that you’re stranded here! Of course, you’ll be staying with us?”
Josie watched the situation spiraling out of her control, unable to stop it without looking suspicious to someone in the room. Gray stepped in, sensing her tension. “I’m sure they have a room at the inn, Char, perhaps it’s best they stay there.”
“Oh, nonsense, they are friends of Celine, they’ll stay the weekend with us. Henry was just heading into town, he can pick up your luggage and bring it up on his way back.” She smiled graciously at the two of them then at Josie.
“Well, thank you, Mrs., uh, Stanton, was it?” Michael said, matching her gracious smile. “We would be more than happy to stay and are so grateful for your hospitality.”
“Oh, wonderful. I’ll have Mrs. Paxton prepare two rooms and Henry, if you would be so kind as to gather their bags on your way into town?”
Michael handed him the key to their room. “Room five, thanks a lot!”
Charlotte left to attend to having their rooms made up and Henry headed out the door to the car, leaving Michael and Damien alone with Josie and Grayson. “Well, you worked that out pretty well, didn’t you?” Josie said, crossing her arms.
“I think it’s best if…” Gray began.
“Gray, can you give us a minute alone, please?” Josie requested.
“You sure?” he asked.
“I’m sure, thanks.”
“I’ll be upstairs,” he said, squeezing her arm and making his way across the foyer and up the grand staircase.
“You want to explain to me what you two are doing here?” Josie said with her arms still crossed.
“Do you want to explain to us why they’re calling you by another name here and think you’re married?” Michael countered.
“No, I do not. Nor do I want you here at all, let alone for the entire weekend. So, here’s what will happen. Tomorrow morning you two will make an excuse, I don’t care what, and go back down to the inn and stay there and leave on the first train out Monday morning.”
“Josie,” Damien said, “we’re really sorry, we were just worried about you. I mean, you disappeared this morning then sent some cryptic text, you’ve been having a lot of trouble with those nightmares and stuff and then meeting that weird guy and then finding out you were adopted. We’re worried, so we came after you. We just want to be sure you’re okay and help.”
“I don’t need your help, I’m fine. And how did you follow me, anyway?”
The two exchanged a glance. “Well,” Damien began swallowing hard.
“Just dumb luck,” Michael said.
“Dumb luck? That makes zero sense, how did you find me?”
Damien hesitated. “Damien,” she intoned with emphasis.
“I tracked your cell phone,” he croaked out just above a whisper.
“What?” she asked.
“I… I… I tracked your cell phone. I had that app still and then I wrote another app to track it with more precision. It works
