Page 14 of One Last Secret

She shrugs. “He pays well, and he stays out of my way. I like when people let me do my job.”

“And do you get on well with Celeste?”

She smiles sadly. “Celeste is a very sad girl. I think you can see that. It’s hard to grow up without a mother.”

“Her mother’s dead, then?”

Evelyn nods. “Passed away when Celeste was six years old. Pneumonia, I’m told.”

“How sad.”

“Yes. It’s too bad Victor’s never remarried. A girl should have a mother.”

“Well, she has you,” I say. “And now me.”

“Yes. But it’s not the same. I have my own family at home to care for, and she is seventeen now. You can help her, but she’s nearly grown. At this age, it will be hard for her to grow past the suffering she’s endured.”

“Has she suffered a lot?”

“I can only think so. It’s hard to grow up without a mother.”

I don’t think I’ll learn anything more from Evelyn, so I turn the conversation to more mundane subjects. I learn that she works here from six in the morning until seven in the afternoon on weekdays. She takes the weekends off as well as three weeks’ vacation during the winter so she can be with her family during the holidays. She is a polite and kind woman, but it’s clear that she values the ability to keep a professional distance from Victor and Celeste, her sympathy for Celeste notwithstanding. I can understand that, but it makes me feel even more alone here. I can’t count on her as an ally as I seek to uncover the mysteries that shroud this house.

That’s all right. I’ve had a poor track record with allies so far. Only Sean has been…

Sean! I’m such a fool! I need to tell him about the painting!

“Are you all right?” Evelyn asks. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Something like that.“I’ve just remembered something important,” I tell her. “I need to go make a phone call. Thank you for the coffee.”

I rush to my room and step onto the balcony to call Sean. The air is chill, but I ignore the cold and dial his number.

He responds groggily. “Mary. It’s been almost a day and a half. I’d dared to hope that you’d forgotten about me.”

“No such luck,” I reply. “In fact, I’ve discovered that Annie knew Victor.”

“Right. The painting. You’re certain that’s Annie?”

“Who else could it be? You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

He pauses briefly, then admits, “It certainly looks like her. Have you asked Victor about it?”

“Not yet. Do you think I should?”

“Yes, but don’t mention that she’s your sister. Just see what he says. In the meantime, I’ll look into this and see if I can learn anything. I’ll look into Elias too. There might be a connection there. And Mary?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

I frown. “What do you think I’m going to do?”

“I don’t know, but it’s a bad habit of yours, so I thought I’d say that just in case.”

I’m about to retort when I hear Celeste’s voice. “Mary?”

I close the phone and turn to see her standing outside of her bedroom. I almost ask how long she’s been standing there. For all I know, she’s just heard my entire conversation.

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