Chapter 208

“We’re here,” she says. “Welcome to the great mansion.” Danica tries but fails to give her a smile and climbs out of the car. Still feeling unsteady on her feet, she follows Mona through the door and into what looks like the kitchen. It’s a large, airy room, the most spacious kitchen Danica has ever seen. Wooden cupboards. Tiled floor. It’s spotlessly tidy. Old and modern at the same time. There are two stoves. Two! And a massive table that seats at least fourteen people. Two tall dogs with auburn coats come bounding toward them. Danica recoils. “Down, Jensen. Down, Healey!” Mona’s command stops the dogs in their tracks. They lie down, gazing up at both women with big expressive eyes. Danica regards them suspiciously. They are handsome hounds...but where she comes from, dogs do not live in the house. “They are harmless, my dear. Just pleased to meet you. Come with me,” she says. “Would you like a bath?” Her tone is solicitous and kind, but Danica blushes, mortified. “Yes,” she whispers