The bag hadn’t come out with the rest of the luggage, and now Max said, “The bag’s in the helicopter. I don’t want Rae to see it and think…anything, so I’ll bring it in when no one’s around to ask questions.”

“Where are you going to store them?”

“Gerard Morgade seems like the kind of guy to be a big game hunter. I’ll bet a big, important guy like him had a gun safe.”

“A gun safe would be good.”

The housekeeper must have heard the helicopter, or Dylan warned her that they had arrived, for the front door slammed open and she stepped out onto the wide veranda.

OLYMPIA PAOLERGIO:

FEMALE, CAUCASIAN ANCESTRY (RUSSIAN? GERMANIC? SLAVIC?) LATE 40s, 5'5", 130LBS, BUILT STRONG AND TOUGH. COOL BROWN EYES, WELL-CUT HAIR, SUSPICIOUSLY AUBURN WITH HIGHLIGHTS, WELL-APPLIED COSMETICS, CRISP, IRONED CLOTHING, IMMACULATE, POLISHED NAILS. PROOF POSITIVE THAT ALL GOOD GROOMING IS NULL WHEN CANCELED BY THE APPEARANCE OF A FAINT, DARK MUSTACHE ACROSS THE UPPER LIP.

“Welcome to Morgade Hall.” Olympia’s gaze swept the little group, and lingered on Luna. “I’m glad the dog managed to find someone to pet it. I was tired of her importuning me. Come in. The house is large and difficult to navigate. I’ll perform a tour.” She held the door for them.

“Not necessary,” Max said. “I’ve been here before.”

Olympia swept him a freezing glance, then began the tour anyway. “The house is a magnificent reimagining of a French chateau, with a wide, sweeping stairway that leads up to a gallery above. There old-world paintings line the walls. Carvings enliven the woodwork and antique furniture creates a classic environment.”

Kellen followed Olympia and agreed with all her assessments, but she also noted that a closer look showed the wear of many years. The carpets were shabby, and rectangles of brighter paint gave testimony that long-vanished paintings had once hung on the walls.

Olympia guided them briskly through the first floor. “The main ballroom is here.”

“The main ballroom? How many are there?” Rae asked.

“Several,” Olympia answered. “This is the largest. One imagines it alive with light and music.”

Kellen was surprised to hear Olympia had an imagination. “Oh, look. There’s a piano. Goodie.”

Rae giggled.

Olympia was oblivious to their teasing. “The piano has been tuned. Follow me. The library is here. There’s a door onto the porch, a fireplace which you will seldom use, and I believe the chairs to be comfortable.”

“Look at all the books!” Rae wandered in and stared in awe at the walls of shelves lined with leather-bound books, pieces of glowing art glass, framed paintings and photographs. “So many stories. It’s like in Beauty and the Beast.”

“Very dusty to my mind.” Olympia sounded vaguely disapproving. “Those books shouldn’t be disturbed.”

“Grandma says if a book isn’t read, it cries in its soul.” Rae sounded stiff and disapproving.