“No, they didn’t. But they knew why they were here, they knew what they were doing. They were recruited by the previous occupants, specifically selected to maintain the barrier, and they did so, following all of the rules and rituals bequeathed them by their predecessors.” His expression hardened suddenly, and the change in expression was so quick and complete that Daniel nearly spilled his coffee. “As you remember, Danny boy, breakfast is promptly at six. No later. You will be allowed to slide today, but tomorrow…” His voice trailed off, an implied threat.

Daniel’s heart was pounding, but he feigned nonchalance, tried to keep the tremble out of his hand. “Your daughter,” he found himself saying. “She predicted my mother’s death. And she was somehow involved with it.” His eyes met Billingsly’s. “I thought you were, too.”

The butler shook his head. “No.”

“Then why did you force us to stay, me and my dad?”

“As I told you, the House needed occupants.”

“But you knew she died?”

“I did not know how.”

“A doll, a doll made out of dust and lint and gum wrappers, shoved itself down her throat and strangled her.”

The butler’s voice remained even. “I did not know that.”

“You didn’t know that I was making one of those dolls, too? You don’t know that my son saw her and she taught him how to make them, as well?”

“She was obviously trying to keep you from the House, trying to remind you of what had happened and scare you away.”

“And you? Tony said he saw you, too.”

“I was trying to entice you back.”

“And you knew nothing about her? This is all news to you?”

Billingsly nodded.

Daniel angrily grabbed a bagel, dug into the eggs and sausage on his plate. Billingsly moved unobtrusively around the table, refilling Daniel’s coffee cup, taking dishes back to the kitchen, and it was only after Daniel had finished his breakfast that the butler finally asked a question: “Have you had sex with this… being?”

“No.” Daniel was firm. “She wanted me to, but I refused. Like I said, that’s why I left.”

Billingsly nodded. “I don’t know who or what this child is, but I assure you that I have never seen her, and until now I’ve been entirely unaware of her existence.”

It was true, Daniel thought. He had never seen the two of them together. He’d just assumed Doneen was Billingsly’s daughter.

Or perhaps she’d told him that.