“My point?” Evelyn said, placing her hands on her hips. “My point is the east wing hasn’t been opened in decades! How can you possibly expect us to get it cleaned and in order in less than two days? The whole place will have to be washed, the carpets steamed, new linens purchased, and…and I’m sure I’ll need to order new bedding and mattresses.”

“You have a corporate card. Use it. Bring in a crew if you have to. I don’t bloody care. Just get it done, Evelyn, and while you’re at it, get the lift repaired.”

“The lift?”

“Yes, apparently her father’s a cripple.”

Evelyn winced at Addison’s thoughtless choice of words. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Like I give a damn,” Addison snarled. “Just get the bloody thing fixed, and make sure you give the bastard one of the adjoined rooms. Apparently, he can’t take care of himself, so he’ll have nurses around the clock, and the less I see of any of them, the better. Am I understood?”

The tone of Addison’s voice had changed, and like a bell signaling for the next round to begin, it told Evelyn it was time to leave, and leave now. “I understand perfectly,” she said, quickly retrieving her belongings from a chair where they’d been sitting since six o’clock. Flashing a half-hearted grin in Addison’s direction, she said, “Well, if that’s all. I’ll say good night and leave you be.”

“That’s fine,” Addison said, turning back around to stare into the empty fireplace.

“Would you like me to make you something to eat before I go?”

With a snort, Addison emptied what remained in her glass in one swallow. “No, I have what I need. Go home, Evelyn.”

“I think I will,” Evelyn said, heading out of the room. “And don’t worry about the wing. I’ll get it sorted.”

“You better believe you will,” Addison said, giving Evelyn a sideways glance. “After all, I’m fairly sure that’s what I pay you for.”

Evelyn stopped, pursing her lips as she counted to ten. Slowly exhaling, she didn’t even bother to look back as she walked from the room. “Good night, Addison. Do enjoy your scotch.”

Knowing no response would be forthcoming, Evelyn exited the house as quickly as possible. Pulling her mobile from her handbag, she got into her car, turned on the dome light, and sent her staff a text.

“Something has come up. Meeting in the kitchen at 7 a.m. sharp! All must attend. No excuses."

***