motor, I began to relax. Eventually, I dozed off. When I woke, we were back at my apartment.
***
A few hours later, I called the Beckett estate. I planned to ask April out to lunch so that we could talk privately about her options. Guy would return to the estate as Ashton the following day, the day that Mr. Beckett planned to hear from him. He would take it from there. He reminded me that it may be a week or more before we could get April out permanently. We didn’t want anyone to know there was a connection between them.
Unfortunately, when I called, I wasn’t allowed to speak with April. The butler informed me that she wasn’t feeling well. He advised me not to stop by for a few days. He said she was contagious.
“Something is really wrong,” I said after I’d closed the connection. “I don’t believe for one second that April is sick or contagious. We’re switching to plan B.”
“We never discussed plan B,” Guy said.
“Well now we’re doing things my way. I’m going in today, and I’m getting her out.”
“At least let me get you some backup.”
“I work alone,” I reminded him.
“Not on this one. I know what I’m doing. Please, trust me. Just give me a few minutes. Don’t leave.”
He held my gaze until I heaved a sigh and sat down to wait.
“I’ll give you a ride there.”
Guy took his transceiver into the bedroom and closed the door. When he returned, he wore grass stained jeans and a work shirt.
“Will I be working with Eberhardt again or with you?” I asked.
“Because we were on holiday so is Eberhardt. He isn’t back yet. Let’s go.”
As we hurried to the car I followed up with, “Is that who you called? Eberhardt?”
“No, I called one of our Shepherds.”
“A shepherd? You have some sheep I don’t know about?”
“A Shepherd is what we call our operatives who are skilled at getting people from one place to another safely. It’s not easy. It takes people skills and finesse and most importantly, the right contacts.”
“We’re really sending April away.”
“Yes, if she’ll go.”
Guy dropped me off a few blocks away from the Beckett estate. He would wait in the car. If I didn’t return within the hour, he would return to work. He was my backup. We both agreed that I, and I alone, should enter the estate on the pretense of visiting my sister who was ill. It would draw the least attention.
I approached the servants’ door in back and walked right in, like usual. Lewis saw me first. He was still cleaning up from breakfast.
“Hi, Lewis!” I called my customary greeting. “Do you know where I can find April?”
He stepped in front of me. “You shouldn’t be here. Come back in a few days.”
“No, I heard April is sick. I want to visit her. I don’t care if she’s contagious.”
“You need to leave,” he insisted.
“I’m not going anywhere, Lewis, not until I see April.”
“She’s in her room, and I’ll lose my job if I let you in to see her.”
“Then don’t let me in.” I spoke quietly. “No one has to know you saw me.”
He hesitated but then moved aside.
I hurried down the basement steps toward the servants’ rooms. One of the doors had a lock on the outside. April never told me the Beckett’s locked her in. Who would do that to the paid help? I turned the lock and opened the door.
Light from the hall spilled over a figure curled up on the bed. April wore her pink sweatsuit. I could see her maid’s uniform crumpled in a pile on the floor. The room smelled terrible, like someone had been sick. Maybe they’d all been telling the truth.
“April?” I called quietly. “Are you awake?” I tiptoed closer and put my hand on her shoulder. Gently, I shook her and was surprised when she cried out in alarm. I slapped my hand over her mouth and turned her head to face me. Enormous tears streamed down her cheeks. She was really banged up. I pulled her toward me and hugged her tightly. She cringed and pulled back. What had Beckett done to her?
“Shhh,” I stroked her hair and tried to calm her. “We need to get you out of here,” I whispered. “Is there anything you need?”
She shook her head. I helped her stand, and we started toward the door. She could hardly walk, so I pulled her arm around my shoulders to give her more support.
We were almost to the