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I could make another nasty remark about how she didn’t know me well enough to think one way or another, but I’d already done that earlier and still regretted it.
“I don’t know Zeppelin or Magnet very well, but do you think they’d prefer to stay in the main house over a cottage or the other way ’round?” Cayman asked.
“I have no idea. How many cottages are there?” I asked.
“As I mentioned yesterday, there are four.”
Nem put her hands on her hips. “Okay, now I know it isn’t my imagination. You justsnarled.”
“I did not.”
“You did,” countered Cayman.
11
NEMESIS
Ares was acting beyond odd. It was almost as if he were jealous of Cayman and me. The thought of it made me laugh out loud.
“What’s funny?” he asked. Perhaps it was more of a bark, given the snarl. Although what kind of creatures snarled? I supposed canines did.
“Nothing, sorry,” I said when I realized he actually expected an answer.
“Shall we go upstairs?” Cayman asked.
“Absolutely,” I said. “We’ve not made much progress logistically.”
Cayman opened doors on either side of the hallway as we walked by. “The rooms up here are smaller.”
“This is the one I stayed in. My goodness. I’d completely forgotten,” I exclaimed when he opened the final door and waved us inside. “It’s such a lovely room.”
“It definitely has the best view.”
“You stayed here?” Ares asked.
“It was quite late and, as you know, a long drive. So, yes, Cayman’s mother was kind enough to invite me to stay.” I spun in a circle, remembering how I’d thought, if I ever owned my own place, I’d decorate the bedroom just like this one. It felt as though an English garden had been brought inside. The silk wall coverings were different shades of pastel on three sides, but one looked like a mural. “I’ve always meant to ask. Did your mum have this hand-painted?” I walked closer to it. As tempted as I was to run my fingers over the delicate flowers, I doubted that would be appreciated.
“She did, and she’d be so pleased someone noticed.”
“Please give her my best when you speak again.”
“You can do so yourself. She and Pa are stopping over in a bit.”
“Is there a particular reason they are?” Ares asked.
“They won’t be here long. They just wanted to say hello to Nem. Well, they know you as Margeaux.”
“It will be lovely to see them. Let’s continue, shall we?” I walked out of the room, and the two men followed. “I’d like to leave it to Wren and Wilder whether they’d prefer to be in a cottage or in the main house. My supposition is the rest won’t care as much.” I turned to Ares before we went downstairs. “Are you thinking everyone will stay in Shere?”
“I was. However, everyone doesn’t have to stay on the property, including my team, who should arrive tomorrow. Is there an inn nearby or maybe another rental?”
“Who is on your team?” I asked.
“Tank, Blackjack, Atticus, and Kodiak. There are also two profilers I’d like to consult with. They aren’t available presently, but if that changes, I’d bring them in. I’m not sure they’d stay in Shere. Well, maybe.”
Ares was rambling. Perhaps this was normal behavior for him. If that was the case, he’d hardly have cause to criticize my “housekeeping,” as he’d put it. “I’m surprised you’d want to stay on the same floor as me. Given my tendency to be…What was the word you used? I remember. It wasmessy.”
“It’s fine,” he snapped, descending the staircase. “Where are the cottages?”
