Wolves & Aprons

MINE

Chapter Five

Three weeks later, Kimberly Gary ceased to exist.

In her place stood Kimberly Walsh, a quiet young woman from the countryside with impeccable references and a desperate need for steady employment. Her background was a carefully constructed fiction orphaned at eighteen, worked for various wealthy families in rural estates, recently moved to Neo-London seeking better opportunities.

Dr. Voss's resources had created a complete identity. School records, employment history, even a tragic backstory that explained her reserved demeanor and reluctance to discuss her past. To anyone who bothered to investigate, she was exactly what she appeared to be another servant looking for work.

The Tristin Estate was everything Kimberly had expected from studying the intelligence files. Old money grandeur wrapped around modern security systems, with gardens that had been manicured for generations and staff quarters that were clean but clearly designed to remind the help of their place in the hierarchy.

Mrs. Catherine Pemberton, the head housekeeper, was a woman in her sixties who'd devoted her life to maintaining the Tristin family's domestic perfection. She interviewed potential staff with the thoroughness of a military recruiter and the imperious manner of someone who'd never forgotten that she answered directly to the family.

"Your references are excellent, Miss Walsh," Mrs. Pemberton said, reviewing Kimberly's documents in her office overlooking the servants' courtyard. "Lady Morrison speaks very highly of your work ethic and discretion."

"Thank you, ma'am. I always try to do my best." Kimberly kept her voice soft, deferential, the tone of someone accustomed to being invisible.

"The Tristin family values privacy above all else. Senator Tristin is a prominent political figure, which means this household is often under scrutiny. Staff members who gossip or share information about family business are terminated immediately. Is that understood?"

"Of course, ma'am."

Mrs. Pemberton studied her with sharp eyes that missed nothing. "You'll be responsible for the main house cleaning floors, windows, dusting, general maintenance. The Senator's private study and bedroom are off-limits except for specific scheduled cleanings, and always with supervision. You'll live in the staff quarters, meals provided, two days off per month."

"That sounds perfectly acceptable."

"Good. You'll start tomorrow morning at six. I expect punctuality, discretion, and absolute professionalism." Mrs. Pemberton's expression softened slightly. "Miss Walsh, this is a good position with a respectable family. Don't give me cause to regret hiring you."

Kimberly spent her first week learning the rhythm of the household. The Tristin Estate operated like a small city, with staff for every conceivable need: gardeners, cooks, drivers, security personnel, and enough cleaning staff to maintain the mansion's pristine appearance.

Senator Marcus Tristin was exactly what she'd expected from his files a man in his early fifties who wore his authority like expensive cologne. He was handsome in the way that powerful men often were, with silver hair that suggested distinguished maturity and eyes that revealed nothing of his thoughts. He treated the staff with polite indifference, acknowledging their existence only when something needed to be corrected.

But his son was a revelation.

Liam Tristin was thirty years old, with dark hair and eyes that held a warmth completely absent from his father's demeanor. Where the Senator moved through the house like he owned everything in it which he did Liam seemed almost apologetic about taking up space. He thanked the staff for their service, asked about their families, and treated everyone with a courtesy that seemed genuine rather than political.

"You're new," he said on Kimberly's third day, finding her polishing the banister in the main hallway.

She looked up, feigning surprise at being addressed directly. "Yes, sir. Kimberly Walsh. I started this week."

"Welcome to the madhouse." His smile was self-deprecating. "I hope Mrs. Pemberton isn't working you too hard."

"Not at all, sir. Everyone's been very kind."

Liam studied her face with the kind of attention that made Kimberly suddenly aware of how carefully she'd constructed her appearance. Plain clothes, minimal makeup, hair pulled back in a style that suggested competence rather than attractiveness.

"You seem familiar," he said finally. "Have we met before?"

Kimberly's enhanced senses detected no suspicion in his tone, only curiosity. "I don't believe so, sir. I'm from the countryside."

"Ah, that must be it. You have an honest face. Not something you see much of in political circles." Liam's expression grew rueful. "If you don't mind some advice, Miss Walsh stay honest. This house has a way of compromising people's principles."

The comment was casual, but Kimberly heard the deeper meaning underneath. Liam Tristin knew something about his father's true nature, even if he didn't know the full extent of the Senator's crimes.

Over the following weeks, Kimberly settled into her role while conducting careful surveillance of her target. Senator Tristin's schedule was regimented but predictable morning briefings, afternoon meetings, evening social events that served as much for business as pleasure. His home office was a fortress of encrypted communications and secure filing systems, but Kimberly's enhanced hearing allowed her to eavesdrop on phone conversations that painted a picture of casual corruption.

The Senator was exactly what Dr. Voss had claimed a man who sold his political influence to the highest bidder without regard for the consequences. Defense contracts awarded to companies with defective products. Environmental regulations relaxed for industrial polluters. Immigration policies crafted to benefit human traffickers.

Each revelation should have made her more eager for the kill. Instead, Kimberly found herself increasingly distracted by the Senator's son.

Liam had a habit of working late in the library, surrounded by books and legal documents that suggested he was researching something complex. Sometimes Kimberly would find excuses to clean nearby, listening to his phone conversations with the careful attention of a predator studying prey.

" evidence is overwhelming, but getting anyone to act on it is impossible," she heard him say one evening. "These contracts are going to get people killed, and everyone knows it, but my father has too much political protection."

The frustration in his voice was genuine, painful to hear. Liam Tristin wasn't just aware of his father's corruption he was actively trying to stop it.

"What do you suggest I do? He's my father. If I expose him publicly, it destroys our entire family, including people who depend on us for their livelihoods." A long pause. "I know that sounds like cowardice, but there are thousands of people employed by Tristin Industries, charitable foundations that would collapse if the family name was destroyed..."

Kimberly realized she was eavesdropping on a man trapped by the same impossible choices that had driven her into Dr. Voss's web. The revelation hit her like a physical blow.

Their first real conversation happened by accident. Kimberly was cleaning the library late one evening when Liam entered, clearly intending to work alone. He stopped when he saw her, then settled at his usual desk without asking her to leave.

"Don't mind me," he said, opening his laptop. "I'll be quiet."

"I can come back later, sir, if you need privacy."

"Not necessary. I find I work better with a little background noise." He looked up from his screen, studying her face again. "Kimberly, isn't it? How are you settling in?"

"Very well, thank you. Everyone's been welcoming."

"Even Mrs. Pemberton? She's been known to terrify new staff into quitting within a week."

Despite herself, Kimberly smiled. "She's demanding, but fair."

"High praise from someone who works for her." Liam's attention returned to his laptop, but he continued talking as she dusted the bookshelves. "Can I ask what brought you to Neo-London? Not many people leave the countryside for domestic service."

The question was casual, conversational, but Kimberly heard the genuine interest underneath. "Family circumstances, sir. Sometimes life doesn't give you the choices you'd prefer."

"That's something I understand better than you might think." Liam's voice carried a weight that suggested deeper meaning. "Tell me, Kimberly, what would you do if you discovered someone you loved was doing terrible things? If exposing them would destroy innocent people, but staying silent meant the terrible things continued?"

His gaze pierced her, steady, unblinking. Tell me, Kimberly… Her heart thundered. Words trembled on her tongue, truth begging release. Instead, she whispered, “I don’t know,” terrified his eyes could strip her bare, exposing fangs, blood, the monster within.

As Kimberly finished her cleaning and left the library, she felt the weight of Liam's gaze following her. For the first time since accepting Dr. Voss's contract, she was beginning to question whether her mission was as clear-cut as she'd believed.

Senator Marcus Tristin was a monster who deserved to die. But his son was a man trapped by impossible choices, desperately seeking a way to do the right thing without destroying everyone he cared about.

As she lay in her narrow bed in the servants' quarters that night, Kimberly stared at the ceiling and wondered if she was about to make the greatest mistake of her life or if she'd already made it months ago when she signed her name to Dr. Voss's contract.

Either way, the mission would continue. Dr. Voss expected results, and Kimberly's family's safety depended on her success.

But for the first time since her transformation, she found herself hoping there might be another way.