Chapter 6 #2
There’s a knock at the door, and Clara arrives with a tray of coffees. “I can come back if you haven’t finished.”
“No, this is perfect timing.”
I can only offer Clara a wan smile as she serves our drinks, then pulls up a chair next to mine.
Barrett’s features soften. “There’s no easy way to say this, Clara, but the home I was trying to build here is being undermined by an old enemy,” he begins. “Did Quinn tell you she was attacked a second time by Reid Griffin?”
Clara’s eyes are as wide as saucers as she twists towards me. “No! When?”
“It’s fine. He–”
“He threatened her,” Barrett interjects. “I’m afraid the Griffins’ interest hasn’t waned since they tried to get my dying mother to sign my property over to them.” He heaves a heavy sigh. “They won’t give up, and under the circumstances, I don’t feel safe making it my permanent residence.”
“Why can’t they just leave you in peace?” she asks.
Barrett’s mouth turns down. “I wish I knew, but I can only respond to the threat. As you know, I have a new business partner who’s going to provide the kind of armed security I fear we need here now, but it’s still not going to be enough.
” He leans forward, his voice softening.
“Clara, it wouldn’t be right for me to put my staff at risk.
You have Piper to think of, and I can’t put another of her parents in danger. ”
“Oh,” Clara says, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, of course. And you’re right, it doesn’t feel safe here anymore. Please, don’t worry about me. You’ve been more than generous already.”
“I’m going to have to let Tandy go too.”
My coffee cup burns my fingers as I grip it tightly. “You’re closing up the mansion?”
“There’s still work to do, which is why I want you to consider remaining, Quinn,” he says pointedly.
He weaves his lies so closely to the truth that it’s hard to see the join. And as his trusted assistant, I’m expected to tie up the loose threads. “I’d hate to leave a job unfinished,” I say.
“But Quinn can’t stay,” says Clara. “If it’s dangerous…”
“I’ll keep Jason on too, and they can both live here for now,” Barrett says.
“The less time they spend traveling between here and town, the less opportunity the Griffins will have to intimidate them.” His smile is broad and cunning.
“And I’m sure Jason would jump at the chance of free board and lodgings.
Not to mention having Quinn as a roommate. ”
“That makes sense,” I agree. Living here suits my purposes. I’m less thrilled about having Jason watching my every move, but at least I won’t be on my own when Ilya’s men start prowling around.
Clara smooths her dress. “When do you need me to leave?”
“Some of Ilya’s men will be here next week. They’re going to stay in the guesthouse and use the stable block too. It looks like my dream of owning horses will have to be put on hold,” he tells her with another sigh.
“That’s a shame,” Clara replies, then waits patiently for Barrett to answer her initial question.
“I’d rather you were gone before then,” he says. He delivers the message without emotion, and waits for Clara to react. She’s on the verge of tears when his voice turns honeyed. “Clara, I said I’d support you after Ethan died, and I meant it.”
She manages a nod.
“I still need a housekeeper, just not here,” Barrett continues.
“Poulton Springs isn’t going to be the sanctuary you and Piper deserve, which is why I can offer you the same position at my house in Connecticut.
It’s nowhere near as large as this, but there are living quarters over the pool house – enough room for you both, and for Tandy.
It’s rare for me to spend any time there, but the house still needs maintaining. ”
He tilts his head. Clara’s too stunned to respond.
“And if you find that your heart still belongs in Poulton Springs, you can always come back. Surely, it’s worth a trial run before you decide.”
“It does sound like a great offer,” I tell her, because it does. It’s good to know Barrett isn’t a total prick. He knows how difficult it would be for Clara having the Griffins lurking around. She still thinks they’re responsible for the fire at the factory.
I blink hard, my earlier hangover lifting to leave my thoughts clearer than they have been all morning.
Despite my reservations about Reid, I’m inclined to believe what he said about Barrett causing the fire.
Which means the man smiling so sweetly at Clara caused Ethan’s death.
This show of concern is just to ease his own conscience.
“I don’t– I don’t know what to say,” Clara stutters. “Thank you, Barrett. Thank you so much.”
He relaxes back in his chair. “Can I leave it to you to persuade Tandy?”
“I’ll try,” Clara says. “But you know she helps out at her mom’s coffee shop too. I’m not sure she’ll agree.”
“If she needs a financial incentive, that can be arranged,” Barrett says with a chuckle.
When Clara stands to leave, I get up too.
“I need one more minute of your time, Quinn,” Barrett says, holding up a finger to stop me.
It remains poised in the air until Clara closes the door behind her.
“You’ve done well today, and I expect more of the same when Ilya arrives.
If you back up everything I say, and follow orders, you’ll do well in my company.
You can’t begin to imagine the opportunities I could open up for you. ”
The offer sends a shudder down my spine. What if Barrett’s concern about me getting involved with Ilya has nothing to do with propriety, and everything to do with possession? Reid’s stupid jealousy may not have been so misplaced after all.