Claudia turned to find me climbing up those steps as fast as I had chased after her in the hall back at Milton.
Joseph winked at me and pulled Michael along with him to the kitchen. This would give Joseph his moment to get information from Michael while I kept Miss Belle busy. I doubt he considered that I might want to do more than just talk with her.
“Play nice, kids,” Joseph said.
Claudia looked back at him. He smiled and winked at her before moving beside Michael.
“We got it, Joseph,” I said.
She moved with such a slow pace up the stairs. I waited by the rail landing outside her room. She looked surprised Michael was encouraging this. Who would have allowed a teenage boy into his daughter’s room?
She looked up at me. I smiled, running a hand over the railing and began to walk alon
