Page 76 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

Her face falls at that. “Oh… that’s nice. Put me to work Brandon. I have court ordered redemption to focus on.”

Brandon steps out from behind the desk and lets her take over the computer. As she walks by him, I notice her ankle monitor for the first time. “Don’t let any of the guests see that!”

“I’m behind the desk, Alex. No one will know. Plus, innocent until proven guilty. I could have been framed for all you know.”

“Are—are you serious right now? I literally watched you turn a guy’s brains into mashed potatoes, after doing the same to mine.”

She sighs. “This is the problem with our country. Nobody wants to do their own research anymore. You just take what you see at face value and don’t even stop to consider the other side.”

I can feel my blood pressure increasing. “I’m sorry, Kayla. I must have misinterpreted what you were trying to say when you bashed my skull in with a frying pan.”

I gasp as a thought runs through my head. “What did you do with my body? You didn’t stuff me and hang me on your wall, did you? Hide me under your bed so you could have your wicked way with me, you freak?”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re being dramatic. I have work to do, can we finish this debate later? Thanks. Bye.” She draws out the bye, and I take that for the dismissal it is. I fear that Kayla has learned all the wrong lessons during her time in jail.

***

Jake

As I walk down the stairs to head out to my garden, I expect to see Brandon in his usual spot at the front desk, but today Kayla is there. I do a double take and look around.

“Oh my god, Jake! How are you?” Kayla asks and runs her hands over her hair. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, Kayla. Where’s Brandon?” I ask, still confused as I walk up to her.

“Oh, I think he said he was heading up to the attic to work on his manuscript. I’ve taken over the phones for him. By the way, I really like what you’ve done with the place. It’s very…spooky. Was that your idea?” she asks and bats her lashes at me.

“No, that was all Alex. He pretty much runs the place now. I work in the gardens.” I say as I lean my forearms on the desk. “Have you seen him around?”

“No, he hasn’t been around. Sorry,” she says as she bites her lip. “Death looks good on you.” She blushes as she realizes what she just said. “Wow, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean that you look good. The last time I saw you, you were pretty stressed out.”

I nod. “Yeah. Things are better now. Andrei’s gone. Thanks for that, by the way. My dad’s gone, his goons are gone, hopefully for good.”

“Wait. What do you mean your dad’s gone? Like, in jail?”

“No, he’s dead.”

Her face falls. “Fuck! Dead? Who did it?”

“Sasha. I’m sorry, I know you worked with him…”

Her mouth drops open. “I’m not sad that he’s dead, Jake. I’m sad that I didn’t get to do it! I can’t believe someone beat me to it. Fucking jail. That bastard tried to frame me for your murder and a half dozen other felonies. I had it all planned out, too.”

I’m a little taken back by her vehemence. “You and Alex both,” I chuckle. “I didn’t want it go down like it did, not really, but he gave us no other option. He was going to kill me. Again, I mean.”

“I’m glad he’s dead, then. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.” She reaches out to touch my arm, but I pull back, trying to be covert about it. I don’t want to get on her bad side if I can help it.

“Thanks, but I have a therapist. She comes over once a week.”

She gives me a once over, gaze lingering on Alex’s necklace around my neck. For a second I think I see a scowl on her face, but she quickly schools her expression.

“Well, I’m glad you have people in your corner. The offer stands though, in case you want to hang out sometime. Have dinner, Netflix and chill, that kind of thing.”

I give her a polite smile. “Thanks. I need to go find Alex. I have a few ideas for the back yard I want to run by him.” I turn and start to walk away when she calls out.

“Wait, Jake.” I look back, surprised at her pained expression. “I’m really sorry about what happened with Andrei. I never should have given him your room key, but I didn’t know…” she trails off, but I get the gist of what she’s trying to say.

“It’s okay, Kayla. I don’t blame you for what happened,” I say and head out of the lobby before she can utter another word. This is not a conversation I want to have with her now. Or ever.