“No, no, we’ll be fine, thanks,” Josie answered him.
Everyone said their good nights to them both as Damien slipped back down the hall to his bedroom. He doubted he’d sleep now after the excitement; his mind abuzz with fresh information. He considered knocking at Michael’s door but decided it could wait until morning. He headed back to bed to wander through the maze of his thoughts alone.
A knock woke Damien from a deep sleep. “Yeah?” he called, groggily pulling himself out of bed, lumbering to the door and opening it.
“Sleeping in?” Michael asked.
“Ugh, I barely got any sleep last night.”
“Too much on your mind?”
“Yeah and the midnight excitement didn’t help any.”
“Excitement?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear it? The kid, Maddy, was screaming like crazy last night.”
“I didn’t hear anything, must have slept right through it. What was she screaming about? Do you know?”
“Something about not wanting to go back to sleep and see some guy. She must have had a nightmare. But the weird thing is, it wasn’t her mother comforting her.”
“Who was?”
“Josie!? Gray told Maddy that that’s why he went to find her, so she could help her. It was weird. It made no sense again, but perhaps this is how he convinced Josie to come? Told her it was a kid who needed her help?”
“Maybe. I mean, why Josie? You’d think it would be Avery who wanted to be with her and that Maddy would want Avery not Josie, she doesn’t even know Josie.”
Damien pulled a shirt on over his undershirt and changed into jeans from pajama pants. “Yeah, the whole thing was weird. They seemed really, really concerned about this nightmare. I mean, kids have nightmares, right? Why act like it’s that big of a deal?”
“No idea. Let’s go down to breakfast.”
“Hungry?”
“Yes, but I also have an idea to obtain more information. Come on.”
When they arrived in the sunroom for breakfast, everyone else was already there except for Maddy and Avery. Josie looked exhausted, like she hadn’t slept at all. “Good morning, everyone,” Michael said, acting as though nothing had happened.
“Good morning,” Charlotte answered. “Oh, I hope you slept well, and we didn’t disturb you last night. Maddy had a bit of an episode.”
“Oh?” Michael said, “I hope she is okay?”
“Oh, she’ll be all right, children are resilient. Well, I’m glad it didn’t disturb you.”
Michael smiled as he poured coffee and carried his plate and cup to the table. Damien followed suit. As they sat down, Josie stood. “I’m going to lay down for a bit.”
“Of course, I hope you get some rest,” Charlotte said.
Gray grabbed her hand, “I’ll check on you in a bit.” He held her hand a moment longer before Josie left the room.
“Oh, Mr. Buckley, excuse me,” Mrs. Paxton said, entering the room, “Mrs. VanWoodsen is here to see you. I told her the family was still having breakfast, but she insisted. She’s in the office waiting.”
“That’s fine, Mrs. Paxton, I’ll go to her now,” Gray said, standing. “If you all will excuse me.” He folded his paper, laying it on the table and left the room.
“So, Charlotte,” Michael said, “Max and Maddy did a wonderful job of showing us around yesterday.”
“Oh, I’m so glad they didn’t tire you too much, they can be rambunctious at times.”
“Not at all. They were telling us the story of a painting that used to hang in the main foyer. Uh, someone named Mia or Mina?”
“Oh, yes, the portrait of Mina Buckley. Yes, it recently went missing.”
“That’s what Max told us. The way he described it, it sounded very grand. I was wondering, do you have a picture of it? I’d love to take a look at it.”
“Oh, yes, we have one. It’s in a volume in the library. I can show it to you as soon as you’re finished with breakfast.”
“Oh, great! Well, just give me a minute to finish my coffee then!” Michael said.
“Oh, Mrs. Stanton? Avery is asking for you.”
“Oh? Oh, tell her I’ll be right up. I need to show Michael something in the library first.”
“Oh, please, go to Avery. Just point us in the direction of the library, I’m sure we can find it ourselves.”
“Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble?”
“Not at all, we’ll have fun finding it!”
“You’re so gracious. Mrs. Paxton, please show them to the library when they have finished with their breakfast. You’ll find the photo albums in the cabinet on the back wall. I’ll go up to Avery now.” Charlotte set her napkin on the table and disappeared from the room.
“Okay,” Michael said, swallowing one last sip of coffee, “lead the way, Mrs. Paxton.”
“Ah, so you ARE back,” Celeste said as Gray entered the office. She sat across the room in the desk chair. Her long, blonde hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Her blue eyes sparkled even from a distance, her full lips curled into a slight smile at the edges. “I take it you found Celine?”
“Yes, I found her,” Gray said.
“And she’s here? She’s back?” Celeste asked.
“She’s here.”
“But?”
“But nothing, she’s here.”
“Something is amiss. She’s here but not really. She didn’t agree, did she? She’s not like she was, is she?”
“What do you want, Celeste?”
“I want to see my sister.”
“She’s resting. Maddy had another episode last night; Celine was up most of the night with her.”
“So, she’s getting worse? Gray, if you can’t get her to…”
“Yes, I know.” Gray cut her off. “I know. Now, look, you can’t see her today. Like I said she was awake most of the night. And besides, she doesn’t want to meet with you. She said as much before she came. So, it’s best if you go.” Gray opened the door, motioning her out.
“Okay, I’ll go, but I’ll be back. I WANT to see my sister, Gray.” She stepped into the hall, Gray followed her. Michael and Damien were coming down the hall led by Mrs. Paxton. Celeste eyed them both as they passed. After they had passed
