Blood Is Thicker...
By
Christine
Part One
Chapter 2
Two weeks later Pik Van Cleaf sipped a savory brandy in the study as he reviewed the files of several “volunteers.” Their latest client, Mr. Wintreib, would be there in two hours, and Pik and Fouchon spoke in muted tones, discussing details of the meeting.
Fouchon preferred that at least one of them remain in-house while the maid and laundry service performed their duties, not trusting any outsider, let alone several, alone in a house which held so many secrets. This was such a day, and the maids went about their business silently and almost invisibly. But a familiar face on the periphery of Pik’s vision pulled his attention out of the file, and he excused himself from Fouchon’s presence. Fouchon nodded without lifting his eyes.
He saw Madeleine dusting and cleaning a set of ivory figures which adorned a lovely carved oak table in the corner of the parlor. Stone-faced, he appeared silently behind her and said, “Pardon me, miss, but haven’t we met somewhere before?” She was startled, nearly dropped the figure she was holding, and spun around, mouth wide in surprise.
Pik, amused, pushed her chin up with his index finger to close her mouth. She recovered, and narrowed her eyes at him, his sarcasm not lost on her. “No, sir, I believe you are mistaken, “ she replied, and turned to continue her work. Pik caught her arm and turned her toward him again and said, “Not a journalist, then, but perhaps a professional thief, checking out the lay of the place?” “Please, sir,” she pleaded, looking around, “we aren’t supposed to speak with the clients. And you’re supposed to pretend we’re even not here. You should know that.”
Just then, as if on cue, Madeleine’s supervisor Mrs. Lees, a stout and humorless presence, approached the pair asking, “Mr. Van Cleaf, is there a problem?”
Simultaneously Fouchon appeared out of the study calling, “Pik, I need you in here.” Pik coolly turned without a word and headed back toward the study. He heard Mrs. Lees scold the girl, “Maddie, I thought you understood our policy…” and the scolding continued out of earshot. “Maddie, is it…” thought Pik as he settled himself back into the study’s couch, and waited for Fouchon to speak.
***
“Pik Van Cleaf, is it…” Madeleine thought as she lay back on her small bed, fingers locked behind her head. She wondered if she would have a job the next time she reported to work. Van Cleaf could easily have let Mrs. Lees know they had a stalker in their employ. But he didn’t seem as if he were angry, only curious and even a bit amused. Still, there was a chance, but she wouldn’t know for two more days when she would join her crew at the maid service to work the Fouchon mansion again.
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