“Leonard?” her grandmother asked. “What are you doing here?” She spoke very slowly. Most likely she needed her full concentration to talk.

“Well, because you asked him to accompany us,” Sherry said as if she couldn’t believe Grandmother Eileen had forgotten.

“I did?”

She would never fall for it, but Madison nodded anyway. “You said you’d had enough of these scandalmongers and wanted to go to bed.”

“But I’m not even tired.”

“Don’t you remember?” Sherry asked. “You told us you were feeling dizzy and asked us to accompany you upstairs.”

Her grandmother turned to Madison. “Is that true?”

“Would I ever lie to you?”

Clumsily, Grandmother Eileen patted Madison’s cheek in an almost affectionate way. “You’d do anything for money. Lying is the smallest of things you’d do.” She sighed. “That’s why I can’t understand why you haven’t broken up with this waitress by now. It’s the only thing standing between you and your inheritance.”

It felt as if a bucket of ice had been poured over Madison’s head. “Y-you should go to bed now, Grandmother. You don’t know what you’re saying.” She glanced over her shoulder to Sherry, who was as white as a sheet.

“I know exactly what I’m saying, and I’m perfectly able to put myself to bed.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Leonard sent Madison a questioning look.

It took her a few seconds to understand that he was waiting for her instructions. “Thank you. You can go.”

Sherry took a thin blanket from a chair and covered Grandmother Eileen with it. “Good night,” she said in a cold voice.

Madison followed Sherry to the door and switched off the light. She felt as if she was in a daze. The damned witch had destroyed everything. Sherry now knew that Madison could have let her go already but hadn’t. She’ll move out. She’s going to leave me. Panic threatened to overwhelm her.

Sherry didn’t even look at her when they descended the stairs.

Leonard waited for them in the lobby.

“Let everybody know my grandmother isn’t feeling well,” Madison said on autopilot.

“Of course.”

“And please get us our coats,” Sherry said, an icy lilt to her voice. “We’re leaving.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Leonard left through a side door.

“Sherry, I—”

Sherry held up a hand. “Whatever you’re about to say, you’d better wait until we’re alone.”

Aside from a few people still celebrating the arrival of the New Year, the streets were empty. Sherry looked at the passing sidewalks wet from the rain falling on their…on Madison’s car. The rhythmic squeaking from the windshield wipers was the only noise in the car.

Madison didn’t say a word, and that was good.