Page 20 of The Silence of Hell

Jinx entered as we hit the ground floor. “Good day?” He winced as there was a crash echoed.

“We can’t discuss it?” Dan drawled, looking to me.

“Jinx’s a friend. But Dan’s correct. If you sign an NDA, we can tell you. Do you know a security expert? I need a top-notch company,” I asked Jinx.

“I’ll call Chance,” Jinx said.

“Tell him to come to the kitchen,” I replied and walked through the hallways to the aforementioned room. I heard Jinx giving Chance instructions as I entered the cavernous space. Everything in the kitchen, pantries, storage rooms, silverware room, and so on had been thoroughly cleaned. There was a door that led to a small walkway and steps that led up to the gardens.

Jinx waited outside as I ordered pizzas, and I yanked the two bottles of wine out of the fridge. Surprisingly, the 1950s appliances functioned perfectly. Even so I wanted new ones.

Chance arrived as the pizzas turned up, and he had Sunny, Chatter, and another hulking man with him.

“There’re no dolls,” I called to Chatter, who looked happy to wait outside. He sent me a grim stare but came in with his head on a swivel. On not seeing anything, he relaxed.

“Jinx said you had an issue but needed an NDA signing,” Chance announced without preamble. The kids stared at him wide-eyed as they ate.

“Help yourself, I ordered extra,” I offered, shoving the boxes towards them. Jinx dived straight in, as did Sunny and the other guy called Bear.

“NDA?”

“We’ve discovered some stuff. And to discuss it, an NDA must be signed. I require heavy-duty security. Cameras, motion sensors, thumbprint locks, you name it, I need it, and guards to patrol the estate and to watch the CCTV,” I replied.

As I spoke, Chance and Chatter’s eyebrows rose.

“What the hell did you find?” Chatter gasped.

“Nothing you’re going to get near!” I exclaimed, remembering Marybelle.

“Don’t plan too,” Chatter retorted.

I handed Chance the NDA, and he checked it over. “You got enough copies for everyone here?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll also need some for my brothers and prospect. But not the candidates. We don’t know if they’re staying, so we won’t tell them anything. However, the brothers and my prospect need to know,” Chance argued.

I hesitated. “Your prospect might leave.”

“Not a chance in hell, no pun intended. Fanatic is Chance’s nephew. That kid won’t say a word,” Bear mumbled around a mouthful of food.

I still paused.

“Lavender. I get you’re sitting on something huge. But in relation to your fortune, how big is it?” Chance asked.

“Put like that… even so, that’s a lot of strangers knowing,” I replied.

“Yeah, but should someone break in, these are the guys who’re closer to you and will come riding to your rescue,” Sunny said, stealing another piece of pizza.

“Trust us,” Chatter urged, and looking into his eyes, I capitulated.

“Sign and then get your brothers to. But I want them all back by tomorrow,” I demanded.

“Not an issue. Now tell me what you found,” Chance ordered, signing his. The others stepped up and signed theirs, and I sat somewhat happily.

Between me and the students, we explained our discoveries. When we got to the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, Chance looked it up and whistled.

“Yeah, you need security and as soon as possible. I’ll call Slaughter. He’ll send some extra guards for tonight, and Slaughter will come in the morning. I guess cost isn’t an issue?” Chance asked.

---