Chapter 55
Loretta jumped at the chime sounding through her house, one she hadn't heard for a long time. The booming single note sounded like an ordinary clock striking the hour, but Bess would never trigger the urgent alarm without a damn good reason.
She locked and set security on her study door, glancing into her pantry to make sure everything was hidden before heading into the living room. Loretta flipped the round portrait of a stranger she claimed as her mother aside and spoke into the opening.
"What is it?"
"Constable Law," Bess said. "Three, in uniform. Not heavily armed, walking with a purpose."
"Let me talk to them, but listen in," Loretta said. "This might just be random questioning. Hold tight unless I signal."
She closed the speaking port and glanced around the living ro
