Price of a Bounty - By S. L. Wallace Page 0,39
a job?”
Just then the butler walked through the door. I turned to look while April instinctively took a step back and looked down. The butler looked from me to her.
“April! You were sent out here to deliver a message. Did you?”
She shook her head and stared at her shoes.
“Mr. Beckett does not like to be kept waiting. Get back to the house now and return to your duties.”
April turned and ran back to the house.
The butler turned his attention to me. “Mr. Beckett would like to have a word with you in his study. I advise you to keep your hands off of his property.”
Property? Had he realized that certain items had gone missing? No, I realized. The sick feeling had returned – he meant April.
I knocked on the heavy wooden door to the study. “Enter,” rumbled Mr. Beckett’s deep voice. I stepped into the room, and Mr. Beckett motioned to an empty chair. I sat. “I’m not accustomed to waiting for servants,” he began.
“I apologize. I was in the middle of a project.”
“What project?”
“The mower wasn’t working properly. It needed to be cleaned and the blades sharpened.”
“Is that why the lawn wasn’t finished yesterday?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why didn’t you clean and sharpen the blades yesterday? You didn’t have permission to leave early.”
“I needed certain tools to complete the job. I didn’t have them with me yesterday.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll be docking your pay for the hours you missed. In future, be sure to check in with me prior to leaving early. Is that understood?”
“Of course, sir. I apologize for the oversight on my part.”
He nodded and waved his hand. “You’re dismissed.”
On my way back to the garage, I took the opportunity to scope out more of the house. I was studying a painting in the hall when I sensed someone. I turned my head. April watched from a nearby doorway. She moved forward and stood beside me. We both turned our attention to the painting.
“What do you see?” I asked.
“Colors, lines, lighting…”
I smiled. She would be a good candidate for the job I had in mind, if only she’d accept. I reached down and laced my fingers through hers.
-Keira-
April, Be Careful
The day before we were to leave on holiday, I arranged to meet April for lunch at a classy restaurant near the Beckett estate. I wanted to let her know where I would be and how she could reach me. I also wanted to talk about the men in our lives.
“This is a nice place,” April said. “Did you pull another job?”
I shook my head. “No, the money was a gift, and here’s a gift for you.” I pushed over an envelope with some money I’d set aside for her.
“Wow! Is this from Rick? Or do you call him Richard?”
“Rick.” I didn’t plan to tell her about the Resistance, not when her life was going so well.
“This is a lot of money. And he’s giving it to me? Why?”
“Well, I’m giving it to you. It’s what’s left over after my purchases for our holiday. He said I should keep it.”
“You’re going on holiday? Where?”
“To a cabin by the lake. We’ll be there for five days. You’ll be able to reach me at this number.” I handed her one of Richard Burke’s business cards.
“Burke Investments? I knew it!” She grinned. “I knew he was rich, and he is into you, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“You think so? He must be! He’s giving you presents and taking you on holiday, and he already knows what you do for a living, so it’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s getting with you. You’re so lucky to have found someone, someone perfect.”
“Well, what about you? Tell me about the new groundskeeper.”
“His name is Ashton.” She had a dreamy look in her eyes. “He’s handsome and a hard worker and…I think he cares about me.”
“Well who wouldn’t?” I smiled. “How long have you two been together?”
“Oh, we’re just starting to know each other. What are you going to order?”
“What? Chicken, I think.” I studied her a moment, then asked, “Why are you trying to change the subject? What’s up?”
“Well, Ashton mentioned a new job prospect. For me,” she said.
“Really? I thought you liked working for the Becketts.”
“Well, I shouldn’t let that prevent me from looking for something better, should I?”
“No, of course not! What is this other job? Would you be working with Ashton? I don’t think gardeners get paid much more than you do, and it’s seasonal work.”
“No, not gardening. Ashton said it