A Tale of Deception

  AFTER DINNER, ANN sat down at the kitchen table to think.

  I’d better talk to Mr. Weinsteen, our landlord, first. It doesn’t make sense to talk to Mom or Marty until I can be sure we can leave.

  Phoning him at his home, she informed her landlord of the new job opportunity she’d just received.

  “It pays well, and I can give you what I owe out of my next paycheck, if you’re agreeable,” she asked, wondering what he would say.

  “I’m glad you’ve found something steady at last, Ann. You must be relieved. I’d prefer to be paid before you go, of course, but I understand your situation, and since you’ve been such a good tenant all these years, I’ll trust you for it,” he told her with confidence.

  “Oh, Mr. Weinsteen thanks so much! But, there’s another problem and I don’t know what to do about it. The rooms at the estate are fully furnished and I’ll have everything I need there. Would you be able to use the furnishing, if I leave it behind?” she asked him with concern.

  “Well, I don’t know, Ann. How much is there?”

  “Almost everything. There’s nothing I really want or need. We’ll be taking just our personal things with us,” she informed him.

  After some thought, he replied. “Sure. Why not? I’ll take care of it. I might even list the place as a furnished apartment,” he said with a chuckle.

  “How wonderful, what a relief. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with everything,” she said happily.

  “Oh, I almost forgot… ” Ann continued. “I won’t be able to give you any type of notice. I wish I could, but my new employer needs me at her estate as soon as I can get there. I’d be willing to give you an extra month’s rent to compensate.”

  “No, don’t do that. It won’t be necessary, Ann. I’ve a long list of prospective tenants waiting for low income housing. I won’t have any problem getting someone in there when the time comes,” he told her.

  “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Weinsteen. I’m glad this is working out for the both of us,” she said as she gave him the address and phone number of Drummond Hall. “I’ll let you know when we leave, and thanks again,” Ann said, hanging up.

  Now, to talk with Marty and Mom, Ann thought, as she took a deep breath and entered the living room.

  “I need to talk to you two. It’s important. Can I turn off the TV?”

  “Sure,” Emma said, putting down her book.

  “K… “ Marty replied.

  While the small family sat around the living room, Ann told them about the wonderful job and the gorgeous estate. Marty had some concerns about leaving school, and Emma wasn’t sure how she’d fit in or what she was going to do with herself, but it was eventually decided the new prospect had to be ventured. For all of them, the endeavor was going to be a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

  Now, to call Shell. The last obstacle before I can really accept this job.

  Her call to Shelly turned out to be the hardest step in the process. After all, that job had seen her through a very difficult time in her life. It would be hard to leave it and her best friend.

  I love working with Shell. What will she say when she finds out I have to quit? If she needs me, then we can’t go, that’s all there is to it. I won’t abandon her!

  Shelly was stunned to realize it wasn’t a part time job, after all. That Ann and her family were actually going to have to move onto the big, old, estate, so far away.

  Realizing she was losing her working partner not for just a few days a week, but permanently, was crushing. Yet, in true friendship and love, she was happy for Ann and the wonderful job opportunity coming her way.

  Now she doesn’t have to worry about money anymore, but I’ll miss her, Shelly thought sadly.

  “Shell, are you sure you’re going to be okay without me?” Ann asked again.

  “No worries. I’ve been alone before, but I’ll sure miss you. We’ll have to stay in touch. I mean it! I don’t think I can bear the separation for too long.”

  Ann smiled. “Me either! I promise we’ll stay in touch. I don’t think we can help it anyway, with the budding friendship going on between Marty and Tom. But, everything is happening so fast. I can’t believe we could be moving in a couple of days.”

  “It’ll be fine,” Shelly reassured her friend.

  They talked a while longer and discussed their options for Ann’s move into Drummond Hall. Shelly offered Jim’s help, if needed.

  The two women knew being an hour away and Ann’s new job responsibilities would make it difficult to see each other, but what choice did they have?

  The next morning, Ann called, accepting the job.

  What a change this is going to be.

  The small family spent the day packing, and that evening, with the Ferguson’s help, moved their few personal items to Drummond Hall.

  Faye greeted them at the front door. “Hi, Ann… Jimmy m’ boy, Shell, children,” she said with a warm grin, hugging each one.

  “This is my mother, Emma and my daughter Marty,” Ann introduced them.

  “Glad to know yah,” Faye said wholeheartedly, shaking Emma’s hand and keeling down to hug Marty.

  Marty wasn’t too sure about the hug from a stranger, but she took it in stride.

  “Carla’s put Mrs. D to bed. She’s had a couple of rough days,” Faye told them, escorting them into the house.

  “Who’s Carla?” asked Ann as they entered the large, great hall.

  “Oh, I forgot. She’s Mrs. D’s nurse. Nessa has congestive heart failure and needs constant care. She’s okay if she doesn’t push herself too much. Carla has a room right next to Mrs. D’s.”

  “I didn’t know,” replied Ann.

  “I’d better tell you about the other people on the estate. There’s Dougal MacClaryn, he’s the elderly Scotsman at the gatehouse. He lives there with his son Jamie. They keep the grounds looking so wonderful and help out with the odd repair job once in a while. I told you about the Winslow girls, Lucy and Bonnie. They don’t live here, but work here Monday through Friday and help me out on special occasions. That’s the lot, I think,” she said happily as they took the small hall on the left of the great hall.

  “Oh, I need to tell you,” Faye continued. “Mrs. D sends her best and asks that you meet her in the morning room at 9:00 tomorrow morning.”

  “Sure,” Ann replied as they came to the elevator.

  When the group reached the third floor, the children began happily exploring, as the adults chatted and unpacked. Faye showed Ann and Emma the kitchenette and where everything was stored.

  What a splendid place to live. Ann thought again, happily.

  Ann chose the room on the lake side, while Marty took the other. Emma was content with a room on the other side overlooking the gardens below, and the mountains beyond.

  Standing at her bedroom window, Ann listened to the happy voices in the sitting room, while she watched the sailboats soaring in the wind, slicing the water with their bows, the wind flying them across the lake. Jet-skis dotted the shore line, bouncing over the wakes and having a wonderful time near the public park. Large motor boats came and went from the marina near the Coeur d’Alene Hotel, situated across the water from their private little world.

  It’s such a wondrous and strange world to be in. How will I ever get used to it?

  Returning to her friends, they chatted happily about the beautiful home and the wonderful opportunities that might lie ahead, while the children played hide and seek with glee among the rooms. Ann was soon trying to calm them down, while Emma smiled with delight, watching them play.

  Too soon, it was time to say good night.

  Shelly and Jim gathered up Tom and Faith and wished the small family their very best as they departed for the elevator. Marty was given a special hug by the Ferguson’s, while they promised to bring Tom and Faith back again to play as soon as they could.

  “It was nice meeting you, Emma,” Faye said as she was about to leave. “Breakfast is at nine if you?
??d like to join us.”

  “I’ll be there. I’d like to do something to help while I’m here though, if I can. Do you need any help in the kitchen?” she asked expectantly.

  “No, not right now, but we can talk about it later,” Faye replied kindly, realizing Ann’s mother wanted to be of use, somehow. “I’ll talk to Mrs. D tomorrow, and see what we can work out.”

  The departing group waved good-bye, as the elevator doors shut.

  Quiet descended on the room. Looking around, Ann realized she could be living here for a long time, if things worked out. She hoped so. She liked this place very much.

  Returning to her room to finish unpacking, she found herself at the window again. The ever changing world outside was now turning purple and pink with the setting sun. The jet-skis had vanished and the water calmed into a sheet of glass. A few boats parted the silky water, returning to their moorings, while the stars slowly emerged. Lights started to illuminate everywhere, turning the shoreline and hills into a mysterious fairyland, their twinkling colors reflecting off the water. Sighing with contentment, she returned to the sitting room.

  Emma joined her, and they talked as they marveled over the new experience, while Marty snuggled next to her mother.

  After a while, Emma said good night and retired to her new bedroom, shutting the door, while Marty hugged her mother, not wanting to let go.

  “What’s going to happen tomorrow, Mom?” she asked. “There’s no TV up here, and I don’t want to stay here all by myself. What am I going to do for the summer? There’s no one to play with, is there? And where am I going to go to school?”

  “We’ll figure all that out tomorrow,” Ann told her softly, understanding the strangeness and uncertainty Marty must be feeling. “We’ll make sure both you and Mom are taken care of. I think you’ll like Mrs. Drummond. She’s really nice. And if you’re really good, she might let you use the huge library she has down stairs, off the great hall.”

  “A library? No kidding! Wow, that’d be great! Can I read all summer?” she asked excitedly.

  “Tomorrow, we’ll find out tomorrow. Now, let’s get ready for bed,” Ann laughed, hugging her.

  Following Marty to her room, Ann stayed with her as she got ready for bed. Jumping into her new bed, under the wonderful, soft sheets, Marty looked up at her mother and said in wonder, “The bed’s so big, I’ll get lost in it!”

  Ann smiled understandingly. Everything was big and different in this new home. “It’s going to take some time to get used to, sweetie, but I’m not very far away, just in the next room. Now try and get some sleep.”

  “Night, Mom, love you,” she said softly, hugging her mother’s neck.

  Ann kissed her softly on the forehead, then tucked the bedding around her gently.

  “Night, love, see you in the morning. Do you want me to leave the door open a little?”

  Marty nodded with big round eyes, not quite comfortable in this great, big, house. At the little apartment, she always had the hall light showing through her partially open door.

  “I’ll leave a lamp on in the sitting room for tonight. But, I think we’ll get you a night light for your bathroom. I’ll put it on the list of things to do for tomorrow, shall I?”

  Marty nodded again.

  “Night sweetie, sleep tight,” Ann said softly as she left the door open, just a little, while the soft light from the outside dimly lit Marty’s room.

  Back in her own room she opened the window to let the soft evening breeze in off the lake. Picking up her Bible, she returned to the sitting room, curled up in a big, soft chair and read. Praying, she talked to her Lord, thanked Him for all He had provided, and prayed for His provision and care for those she loved.

  When she was done, she turned off all the lights, but the one for Marty and jumped into bed herself. Pulling up the sheets, she stared into the dark, unfamiliar room. Soft light from the moon outside illuminated her new world, while sleep eluded her.

  Everything is happening so fast, it’s all so new. What if it doesn’t work out?

  Thoughts and worries danced about in her mind.

  Did we do the right thing? But, what choice did I have? None really... this has to work. Faye and Mrs. Drummond are so nice, I’m sure it’ll work out for all of us. Stop worrying about it. You’ll know more tomorrow. Now get some sleep! And trust in God.

  But the perturbing thoughts continued. Eventually, she threw back her covers, went to the kitchenette, and made hot chocolate.

  This always helps me sleep.

  Soon, warm, tired and sleepy, she went back to bed.

  Finally, only the ticking of the clock in the sitting room could be heard, along with the soft breathing from the bedrooms. Everyone slept, in the big, dark house on the island in the night, floating under the stars in the silky water of the lake.

  Laying there, sleeping so sweetly, how could Ann know of the undercurrents of evil already swirling, silently around her, pulling her closer to danger and peril? How could she recognize the deadly forces already forming against those living in the house?

 

  The Deceiver