Ignatius, as red in the face as his son.
And Opal, a naughty little toddler with a gleam in her eye.
For a brief moment, I imagine telling her the truth. Of course it’s connected. Simon and his family were sucked into an alternate dimension by a curse, where his family was killed by the same monster who is taking my classmates. Instead, I clear my throat and tell her I don’t know.
She looks disappointed.
“Come now,” Mayor Ridley barks. “There is no connection whatsoever. It’s all just one unfortunate coincidence.”
“Au contraire,” Rafe whispers in my ear.
“There’s not even a connection between thecurrent disappearances,” Mayor Ridley continues. “Those boys are almost certainly dead. Which is a great tragedy, but completely unrelated to the girls. There’s no evidence to suggest thegirlsare even connected. Lola Hayes is a troubled young lady. This wouldn’t be the first time she’s run away, and yet her mother is threatening lawsuits left and right. You’re a lawyer, Mrs. Kapoor. What do you make of all the trouble this woman is causing? Does she have a leg to stand on?”
“I practice finance,” Mrs. Kapoor says. “And please, call me Priya.”
“Still though,” Ridley mutters. “Talking to every media outlet who will listen. She seems to care more about a payout than her daughter’s wellbeing.”
Mrs. Ridley squeezes her husband’s arm with a tight smile, cutting him off before he can continue. “It’s an awful situation for everyone involved. Let’s hope it’s resolved soon.”
Fire crackles in the fireplace.
Dad tugs at his tie.
Isabel sits with flared nostrils.
Opal takes a swig from her goblet and smacks her lips.
“How about this beef, ay?” Mr. Calloway asks.
It isn’t the smoothest transition.
But everyone jumps on it.
The food is truly delicious.
We’re all so full, we can’t eat another bite.
It’s a good thing we’re not having dessert until later.
All the while, Isabel—tight-lipped and pale—does her best to recover. “I was thinking we could retire to the music room for some entertainment. Jude plays the piano beautifully.”
All eyes turn to the piano player.
It’s obvious by his expression that she’s put him on the spot.
“I was hoping you could play us a Christmas piece or two.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Mrs. Calloway adds. “Kate has a very nice singing voice. Maybe she could?—”
“I’m not singing, Mom,” Kate says, cutting her mother off before she can finish.
Surprisingly, Jude is more compliant.
He agrees to play.
I really wish he wouldn’t.
Because Isabel is wrong.
