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A moment later, Samuel came down the stairs, greeting everyone, but he didn’t make eye contact with Maire.
“So, well done on your big win last night, Maire,” Ned said with a tone that was anything but congratulatory. “You and the senator really showed us you came to play. You both had no problem sending five thousand volts of electricity through us to get ahead.”
Maire couldn’t help laughing. “It’s just part of the game,” she said lightly. “You’d do the same. And you kind of did when you knocked me over to get to the Game Changer first.”
“So maybe you’re up for a little exchange of information?” Ned raised his eyebrows. “A little tit for tat?” he asked, his smile turning wolfish.
Maire shook her head with disgust and turned away when a young woman stepped into the room, clipboard in hand.
“Good morning, everyone,” the woman said. “I’m Caitlyn, Alfonso’s intern. I see you found your official One Lucky Winner gear. You all look fabulous. Let’s get you mic’d up. Fern and Alfonso are waiting for you outside.”
The intern led them through the courtyard, and the cameras followed them as they moved. The sky was pearly white and hazy. Next to Maire, Camille shivered, though the morning was pleasant. In the daylight, the magnificence and scope of the estate was on full display. In front of them was the long driveway flanked by bowing cork trees with crooked limbs that eventually led to the iron gates where they gained entrance the night before. The estate sat on a hill and in the valley below were acres and acres of lush green vineyards that disappeared into a morning mist that hadn’t yet lifted. To the right was the path that led to the hedge maze.
“It’s just down this way,” the intern said, and the group followed her down the front steps and toward a cobblestone path that curved around the estate and to the south. This path was lined with camellia trees that bloomed in white and then gave way to towering sycamores.
“What do you think the next challenge will be?” Camille asked, finally breaking the silence.
“Hopefully it won’t include Tasers or a hedge maze,” Ned quipped and there were chuckles. Maire didn’t want to engage. She didn’t want to get to know these people, didn’t want to think of them as people. She kept her head down, eyes focused on the path in front of her. The cobblestone continued to wind and meander.
Maire began to wonder if they took the wrong path. She was getting antsy. What would happen if they were late to the challenge? Would they still be able to participate? Would they be penalized? Disqualified?
“Look,” Ned said. “I think we’re getting close.”
“This is where I leave you,” the intern said with a smile. “Fern is waiting for you right through there. Good luck today.” Then she was gone.
Maire heard the gurgle of a fountain and up ahead the path opened to a wide stretch of land that once must have been covered in grapevines but had been transformed into something entirely different.
Ned gave a low whistle and then said, “Welcome to hell, ladies and gentlemen. Shall we see what the devil lady has in store for us today?”
“Jesus,” Maire breathed, taking it all in. If she thought the maze challenge was grueling, the one laid out in front of her looked downright deadly.
“Your days are numbered, Red,” Ned whispered in Maire’s ear, sending a shiver of revulsion down her back.
Ned Bennett was nothing to her. None of these people were, not even Samuel. Especially Samuel. No, Maire wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. She had two little girls who were depending on her, and she wasn’t leaving here empty-handed.
Ned Bennett obviously didn’t know her. He didn’t know Maire’s determination or desperation. She straightened her shoulders and walked away from him without a word. Maire would do whatever it took to win. Lie, cheat, steal. After all, she’d done worse things before.
FIFTEEN
THE CONFIDANTE
Then
Dr. Camille Tamerlane checked her watch. It was ten past four and her last patient of the day, Chelsea Weatherly, was late. Camille was afraid this was going to happen. The red light on her phone flashed and she waited for Geraldine, her receptionist, to answer it from her desk in the reception area.
Camille moved to the window and peeked around the curtain. Across the street was Chelsea’s estranged husband, Doug. He was why Chelsea hadn’t shown up for her session. He was dressed in an expensive Italian suit and had his phone pressed against his ear. Camille glanced back at the flashing phone. That was probably him calling with more taunts, more demands to stop interfering in his marriage. Poor Chelsea, she had been trying to get the nerve up to leave Doug for over a year. With a sigh, Camille picked up the receiver.
“Dr. Tamerlane’s office,” she said, bracing herself for another tirade.
“Hello?” came a soft, tentative voice.
Camille closed her eyes. This caller was just as problematic. “Wingo,” Camille said, trying to keep her voice even and professional, “I told you not to contact me, you are not a client of mine. I don’t know how to make myself clearer.”
“I’m sorry,” Wingo said, miserably. “I was hoping you could see me, one more time, for just a few minutes. I have the money now. I can pay.”
“Wingo,” Camille said, her patience fraying. “It’s not about the money. It’s about your inappropriate behavior. It’s about the flowers and the gifts.” There was a tap on her office door and Camille looked up. It was Geraldine, her receptionist.
“Please,” he said. “I promise...”
