Page 16 of House of Lies

I blink at her in astonishment. “Ten minutes?” Then my brain lights up. “Wait…did you say, Remington? As in, Glenmont Manor’s Remington?”

Her eyes brighten conspiratorially. “Ah, you know Mr. Remington.” She chuckles mirthlessly. “Then you know he’s the devil.”

Thoughts race through my head.

This woman’s car breaks down, and I happen to drive by? And she’s on her way to the same place I am?

My eyes flicker over her uniform.

And here I was, panicking because I didn’t know what I would say when I got to Glenmont Manor. He’s already told a cop that he had no appointment with Rebecca Monroe. Why would he admit differently to me, even if I tell him I’m her daughter?

But what if I was there undercover? A maid would have access to the entire house…including Remington’s computer, maybe even his cellphone.

“Wait…you said your name was Olivia?”

The woman lifts her eyebrows at me like she’s wondering if I have short-term memory problems.

“I’m Cassidy.”

She frowns.

I touch my fingertips to my chest. “The trainee?”

Her frown intensifies. “Trainee?”

“Yes.” I nod emphatically. “Shimmer and Shine sent me. They said I can shadow you today, get the feel of things.” I knock my palm against my forehead. “I should have known when I saw the uniform.”

Olivia plucks at her apron’s lace trim. “Janice didn’t say anything.”

“No, well, maybe she tried to call? You said your phone was dead.”

Olivia opens her mouth, but I just carry on talking, willing her to believe every lie falling out of my mouth. “Janice said you might need a hand. Glenmont’s such a big place. And I need training, so…”

“It’s huge,” Olivia complains in a dark mutter. “Stairs everywhere. No elevator.” She glances away. “You try carry everything up and down those stairs all day.”

“This works out perfectly!” I wave her back to my car. “Come on, you can drive with me.”

Olivia’s eyes widen, and she clutches at the lapel of her overcoat. “I don’t drive around with strangers. That’s how people get murdered.”

I laugh uneasily. I’m trying not to get mad that Olivia has more common sense than half the population, but it’s difficult.

“You know what? You’re right. I wouldn’t get in a stranger’s car either, Olivia.” I tap a finger against my mouth. Then I send her an impish grin. “Hey, I’ve got an idea.”

Olivia’s eyes narrow at my tone.

“What if I told you today was your lucky day?”

Chapter 6

Cassidy

It takes three rounds of knocking as I stand in the blistering cold before someone answers the door of Glenmont Manor, so I have plenty of time to be awed by its imposing stonework.

Weathered gray stones rear above me, the arched windows studding the first and second floor only marginally softening the manor’s hard lines. I had ample opportunity to admire the sweeping gravel drive, manicured hedges, and freshly planted grass as I drove my rental to the manor’s front entrance.

I cock an eyebrow at the ‘Keep Off the Grass’ signs. Looks like the gardener’s been busy, what with the newly planted lawn and rows of bright, slightly droopy red roses.

A gust of icy wind slams into me. Fall’s already on the way out, and this maid’s uniform isn’t made to withstand arctic temperatures. My coat helps, but it leaves my knees bare, and the wind cuts straight through my leggings.

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