“Of course,” Cybil said, wanting to be agreeable although she had to fight to keep her expression neutral. “So you’ll need thirty thousand dollars.”

“To start,” he said quickly. “I will keep you informed about every step in the process.”

“And you will let me know if more funds are needed, I assume,” she replied graciously.

“I hope that won’t be necessary, but one never knows. May I ask if you could have the funds ready for me on Monday?”

“I’m sure that won’t be any problem at all. My attorney told me I should have access to my funds any day now.”

Mr. Waterson gave her an apologetic smile. “I wonder if you could get the funds in cash. The owner demands cash payment, of course, and it will be easier dealing with the contractors if I have money in hand.”

“I don’t see any problem with that,” Cybil said.

“Your generosity is amazing, Miss Miles.”

“It’s easy to be generous when it isn’t really my money. Perhaps you will tell us more about what you have planned.”

“And perhaps you will take us to the house you are currently using so we can meet the girls you have gathered so far,” Zelda said. “I should love to talk with them and hear their stories.”

But Mr. Waterson was shaking his head sadly. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. You see, after Sally, uh, absconded with all our funds, the other girls realized I had no way to provide for them, so they left as well. I’m afraid my first efforts are a total failure.” He somehow contrived to appear completely abashed.

“Only because you had failed to understand young women, Mr. Waterson,” Cybil said. “Zelda and I can advise you in your future efforts.”

“I would be most grateful to both you ladies.”

“It’s not your gratitude we want, Mr. Waterson,” Cybil said quite honestly.

—

Who else will be at this séance besides Jake?” Gideon asked as the cab carried them to Madame Ophelia’s storefront that evening.

“I’m not sure,” Elizabeth said. “She usually likes to have people I don’t know there, so I can’t make predictions from what I know about them.”

“She doesn’t know who you really know, though,” Gideon pointed out.

“No, thank heaven. I hope it’s not Mrs. Darlington, because she knows you.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go inside with you.”

“Don’t be silly. You’ll just be very surprised to see her.”

“And she’ll be very surprised to see me, too, I’m sure.”

“I doubt Madame Ophelia will invite her, though. She’ll be afraid I’ll advise her against Waterson’s investment scheme again.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. You’re probably right. She must have a lot of clients who don’t know you, though.”