The butler showed me to Susie’s room, and then quickly excused himself outside of her door. When he was gone, I knocked.
“Go away!” Susie called in a watery voice. She was crying.
I knocked more insistently as I pushed open the door.
“I said –” she started, cutting herself off she say me. “Piper?”
“Hi, Susie,” I said.
“Oh, Piper!” She was sitting at her desk, the tears running down her cheeks. As I entered the room, closing the door behind me, she jumped from the chair and ran to me.
We shared a hug. Relief flooded through me.
I stepped back after a moment, to look her over. She didn’t seem too worse for wear. Other than the crying, she didn’t show any signs of abuse or neglect.
“What are you doing here?” Susie sniffed. “I’m sure word has gotten around by now.”
“Rumors don’t matte
