“No, this is great. And your house is so beautiful.” I go to the window and look out over the vast garden. It’s a very different house than Manor De La Rosa. Much more lived in, more colorful.

“It’s my favorite one.”

“Favorite?”

“Jackson’s family has several, but they’re a little too stiff for my taste.”

“His family or the houses?”

She laughs. “You caught that.” The door opens then, and a woman walks in carrying a tray of tea, coffee, and cookies. “Thanks, Lindy,” Colette says with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Van... Colette.”

“See, it’s not so bad,” Colette teases, and the older woman smiles and leaves us alone. “Tea or coffee?”

“Coffee, please. I just woke up and haven’t had a cup yet.”

“Just woke up? It’s the afternoon.” She hands me the coffee, and I take it.

“Oh, we had a late night.”

“Did you?” She waggles her eyebrows. “I bet.”

I feel my cheeks flush.

“How did it go at The Tribunal? Jackson said they were dismissing the charges.”

“They did, but it was still nerve-wracking.”

“I can imagine. I’ve only been there as a witness for you, but that was scary even with Jackson beside me.”

“Thank you so much for what you did. To you and Jackson.”

“Of course, Ivy. I knew you couldn’t have done what they accused you of. Have they found the woman?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, they will. The Society always does in the end.”

I think about the comment The Councilor had made about the second attempt on Santiago’s life. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” She takes a bite of a cookie.

“The fire a few years ago where a lot of members died, was that a gas leak?”

“That’s what they say but…” She shrugs a shoulder. “Who knows. I’ve asked Jackson, but he’s pretty tight-lipped. So many rules.”

“Tell me about it. How long have you been married?”

“Just over a year.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was so recent.”

“No? Hasn’t Mercedes filled you in?” she asks, saying Mercedes’s name with a tone that doesn’t hide how she feels.

“Mercedes and I aren’t exactly friends. She hates me, in fact.”

“Well, that makes two of us then! We’ll have to toast on that once Benjamin has vacated the premises.”

“Why doesn’t she like you?”

She glances at the door, then back at me. “Are you up for a walk?”

“Absolutely.”

She puts her tea down. I finish my coffee and do the same. We get our coats on and step out into the garden arm in arm. She glances toward one of the back windows and waves.

I turn to find Jackson standing there looking out. He raises his hand in a less enthusiastic wave.

“It’s Holton. That man always puts Jackson in a bad mood.”

“Holton?”