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“Not for a second. Those paintings have been in that house for a hundred years and they wanted everyone that walked in to know it. The furniture, the china, all of it was handed down through generations and is worth a fortune.
“Last month they sold the entire collection of china brought from Ireland by one of their ancestors. It was easily worth double what they got. Mrs. Langley took several of her jewelry pieces to be sold as well. I only know that because I clean her dressing room. I was worried they would say one of the staff took the pieces but again, she said they put it in a safe-deposit box since they were going to have workers in the house.”
“Something is definitely wrong,” said Kev. Margie reached across placing her wrinkled, red hand on top of his.
“Is she okay? Aurora? Is she happy?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. She’s doing well and I think she may even be in love,” smirked Kev. “At least, we’re hoping our friend gets her to fall in love with him.”
“Oh, I hope so too,” she smiled. “Is he a good man? Kind? Gentle? Not a cheating, whoring, low-life…”
“Whoa, whoa,” laughed Kai. “He’s a good, good man. Retired Marine. In fact, he is one of the men who saved her. I’m proud to say I was on his team as well.”
Tears filled Margie’s eyes as she nodded. She took two bites of pie and sipped on her coffee.
“Tell her I love her and I’ll let the rest of the staff, those that are left, know she’s okay.”
“Left? Did some leave?” asked Christopher.
“They let go several. There used to be a team of gardeners. Now we only have one. Six housekeeping staff members. Now just me. There are still two cooks but they’re not cooking much.”
“It definitely sounds like the Langley’s have something to hide,” said Kev.
“They’re awful people,” said Margie. “If I didn’t need the job, I’d leave. They’ve kept everything from Aurora that was hers. Her inheritance, her trust, the house, all of it was supposed to be hers.”
“Does she know that?” asked Kev.
“Not sure,” said Margie. “We never talked about stuff like that. She was far too modest. My own daughters owe that girl more than she knows. She gave them clothes that were way more than I could afford so they wouldn’t feel out of place at school. When my oldest went on her first interview, Aurora gave her several suits and dresses so she would look important.”
“That tells me that Aurora is in the right place,” smiled Kai. “Our entire team of people tends to give more than they receive.”
“That describes her perfectly,” smiled Margie. “I’m not as smart as all of you, or my Aurora, but if I were a betting woman I’d say that they let her go thinking she would fail or hoping she didn’t return. I think they need her more than she needs them.”
“Margie, I know this is a lot to ask but would you be willing to allow us to enter the house when they’re not there?” asked Kai. She eyed the men suspiciously at first, then leaned back in her chair.
“Why? You don’t strike me as thieves.”
“No, ma’am,” smiled Sonny. “We are not thieves. We’d like to place some listening devices in the house. Maybe we can figure out what’s happening with them and what’s happening with all these fires.”
“You think they’re connected?” asked Margie. “I heard they were all dumpster fires except the cannery.”
“But you heard about them?” asked Christopher.
“Oh, sure,” she nodded. “The staff talks about all kinds of things. Usually just neighborhood gossip. But the cannery upset the Langley’s for some reason. I heard them arguing but I couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying.”
“Has anyone been to the house lately? Maybe old friends of Aurora’s?” asked Kev.
“I wouldn’t call them friends,” frowned Margie. “One thing about Aurora, she chose her friends wisely. Kept them at a safe distance. Smart girl. No, these weren’t friends. They weren’t people she went to school with. One is a young man her parents tried to marry her off to. I can’t figure out why. He’s just a terrible person.”
“How so?” asked Kai.
“Well, again rumors, but everyone says he has at least two illegitimate children. Someone even said that he raped a young maid in his parents mansion and she had one of his children. Her parents were mighty high on marrying Aurora off to him.”
“Why would they want that? Even if the rumors weren’t true, why would you risk your daughters reputation on that?” asked Kev.
“When you find out, let me know.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
