Chapter 16. An Unexpected Visitor
She was throwing together a scratchy meal when a knock on the door interrupted. To her astonishment there stood Rose-Alice on the door step. At first, she just gaped while her visitor stepped inside.
“Nice place you have here,” said Rose-Alice, taking off her raincoat and looking around. “This is my afternoon off so I thought I’d just come over and say hi.”
Jacquetta summoned up what civility she could.
“Sure, sure. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Fine. Go ahead and eat; don’t let me interrupt.”
Jacquetta poured an extra mug of tea. Her appetite was completely gone. She’d have to throw Rose-Alice out when it was time to call Avalon.
“I love this pattern,” her guest said about the matching sofa and chairs. “Winterberry. Laura Ashley, isn’t it?”
“My roommate’s very homey,” said Jacquetta, feeling awkward and off her game. “I’m actually moving out.”
“Oh really? Going where?”
“I’m entering…a monastery.” Had it ever sounded stupider?
“To become a monk?”
“To become a nun.” Jacquetta knew she was blushing but there was no hope for it.
“Wow.” Yet another astonished person. “I don’t know how you can…see, I grew up in a commune. I don’t think I could ever share anything ever again.”
“Surely when you get married…” Jacquetta temporized but Rose-Alice shook her head.
“We’d have to be at opposite corners of a huge mansion. And how likely is that?”
“It could happen.” Rose-Alice was very pretty. Jacquetta tried to smile. My mother always used to say looking after other people’s children was the best birth control possible.”
‘That’s true,” laughed Rose-Alice. “They’re a lot of work. On the other hand, Avalon doesn’t really care about them so I have a free hand. I couldn’t stand one of those hoverers.”
Jacquetta wondered if she had heard right. Rose-Alice was willing to denigrate her employer! I’ve got to take advantage of this,” she thought. “That’s surprising,” she said. “I mean, what else does she have to do?”
“Well, she has boyfriends,” said Rose-Alice. “Lots of them. That Mr. Dettler, for example. But she prefers the young ones now. So does her husband come to think of it.”
I’m horrible at this, thought Jacquetta. I can’t think what to ask.
“Speaking of Mr. Dettler,” she blurted, “He doesn’t think Miss Rainbeaux committed suicide. You knew her. What do you think?” Inelegant. But at least I got it out there.
“There’s a surprise,” said Rose-Alice. “He’s just feeling for your weakness. He’ll be coming after you next.”
Jacquetta couldn’t get over the unreal Alice in Wonderland quality of this conversation. “So…suicide you think?”
“Accident more like,” said Rose-Alice. “What does it matter now? That old lady couldn’t ever admit she needed help. She wanted to know everything. She always had to know better about everything than anybody. What would be more likely than she would take a dose and then forget?”
This was not the picture of the Miss Rainbeaux Jacquetta had met but she wasn’t inclined to argue. She had to get rid of this girl. She stood up and fetched her guest’s coat. It was a Burberry, but a little worn. A cast-off of Avalon’s?
“I hate to throw you out,” she said, “But I’ve got to make an important phone call. It’s going to be upsetting enough- “
“The monastery?” said Rose-Alice, eyes bright.
Jacquetta seized on this brilliant excuse. “That’s right. I have to ask to come in a little later than we’d planned and I don’t want them to think I’m backing out.“
“Why?” asked Rose-Alice innocently. “Why later?”
She’s a much more effective questioner than I am, thought Jacquetta.
“This whole probate thing,” she answered as vaguely as possible, opening the door. “It’s been a big surprise.”
“I’ll bet,” said Rose-Alice, politely donning the proffered coat. “She was a surprising old lady, I’ll give her that.”
“Well, now that you know where I am,” suggested Jacquetta, “stop by any time.”
What a lot of lies I’ve been telling lately, she thought. There goes my immortal soul.
Alysse Aallyn 
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