Days like this made Cynthia want to scream. The pounding rain. The flooded inbox. A leak in the west wing. Supply delays. State inspectors. Staffing issues. Mrs. Grant’s vendetta against Mrs. Cornelius. Mr. Oliver camped out in the great room. A dozen other residents with twice as many needs and complaints. And God forbid …
She glanced out the window. “Christ,” she said and picked up the phone. “White’s at the door, along with a girl. Hold them.”
The person on the other end spoke briefly.
“I don’t care. Just keep them there.”
Mr. Oliver, still in his pajamas and bathrobe, climbed from his usual leather chair and shuffled toward her as she strode across the room. He waved at her, mouth already moving.
“Ms. Carrington, I—“
She held up a red-taloned finger. “I’ll be with you in a minute,” she replied.
He backed off. “Oh, oh. Okay.”
Like the rest of the great room, the doors to the foyer were dark wood and brass. Heavy. She pushed one open and slipped inside, She pulled her blond hair behind her ear and adjusted her glasses as she approached the pair.
“Mr. White. Good to see you again.” She reached out her hand.
He watched her hand as she approached, like it was something dangerous. Then took it quickly, stopping her short. “Ms. Carrington,” he said.
“I assume you’re here to visit with Mr. Mason?”
“That’s correct. I left my umbrella in the rack, as usual.”
“May I take your coat?” She motioned to the small, empty coat rack.
Mr. White still wore his rain-spattered topcoat. “I’ll keep that with me, thank you.”
She smiled thinly. “Then let me escort you upstairs.”
“I know the way.”
“Just the same,” she said. “It would be my pleasure.” Cara didn’t think Mr White was nearly as friendly with Ms. Carrington as he had been with her.
Carrington turned to the attendant behind the glass, a mousy woman who seemed to shrink even further away.
“Penny, I’m going to escort Mr. White to Mr. Mason’s quarters. Would you please have Bea come to escort Miss Baker to my office.”
Penny picked up the phone—Cara assumed she was dialing Bea, as Mr. White and Miss Carrington disappeared through the doors.
Nicanor Abbott 