Lunch took longer than anticipated during which the traffic built up. Ten minutes short of reaching the manor, the line of vehicles crawled to a standstill. The delay meant less time spent wandering around the mausoleum. If anything, the holdup improved Rich’s mood.
When he at last pulled up in front, got out, and walked into the house, he discovered a bounce in his step and felt like whistling. He managed to tune up with a couple of notes…which slivered away on a hiss. Sapphire’s bags stood in the hallway, her arrival a little earlier than he expected. Without him there to act as a bulwark there was no knowing—
“I’m not gonna stay where I’m not wanted.”
“Sapphire, get back here this instant!”
A door banged overhead. Sapphire came clattering along the gallery, head high, making the old
