Page 32 of The Woman Who Couldn't Scream
“I don’t understand your attitude. You achieved your success in the Coast Guard due to our father’s influence.”
Kateri’s hackles got hedgehog high. “I got into the Coast Guard Academy due to your… our… father’s influence. I succeeded because of my own efforts.”
Lilith smiled that tight-ass smile that caused wrinkles in her upper lip. “Father liked you, you know.”
Kateri blinked. Of all the things she expected to hear today, that was at the bottom of the list. “I can’t imagine that’s true. Especially after the tsunami when I was court-martialed and discharged from the Coast Guard. Being the town librarian seems nothing that would excite his admiration.”
“At that point, he did stop unfavorably comparing me to you. That was a relief. I was tired of that.” Lilith stood. “Where is your home? The trip was exhausting and I need to rest.”
Kateri’s jaw dropped. She knew it was unattractive and gave too much away. But… “You can’t stay with me. I’ve got a one-bedroom apartment. With a single bed.” No. She was not contaminating her house with this woman’s presence.
“I had assumed you—”
“No! Not unless you want to sleep on the couch.”
“You could—”
“I’m wounded.” Inspiration struck. “Also, yesterday there was a break-in.”
“A break-in? Why? Surely you have nothing anyone would want.”
True. Kateri had nothing anyone would want. “Maybe the raven?”
“Yes. You do have that. Somewhere.”
“We believe it’s the criminal who is currently at large and causing havoc in the county. You simply cannot stay at my house. It isn’t safe.”
“Where should I go?”
Kateri noted that it never occurred to Lilith to wonder if Kateri’s home was safe for Kateri. But not to cavil; at least she had easily abandoned her intention to freeload off Kateri. “It’s summer. This is a tourist town.” She experienced a flutter of panic. “You mean you showed up here without making reservations?”
“I had hoped to finish our business and leave within the hour.”
Of course you did.Kateri used a tissue to blot her suddenly hot forehead. “No reservations…”
“Perhaps one of your friends…”
My poor, unsuspecting friends. No.“A new bed-and-breakfast opened in town. Good Knight Manor Bed and Breakfast. Nice old mansion. I’ve heard their meals are superior. Maybe you can get a room there.”
“A bed-and-breakfast?” Lilith made it sound like a brothel. “Is there no other hotel? A Four Seasons or a Hyatt?”
“In Seattle.”Go!
Lilith opened her Ferragamo purse, fished out a small leather notebook embossed with her initials, removed the affixed Tiffany’s pen and clicked it officiously. “What’s the name of the bed-and-breakfast again?”
“The Good Knight Manor Bed and Breakfast.”
Lilith pulled out the smallest cell phone on the market, found the number, called the proprietor, asked for a room and said that she needed it tonight, asked for a room and said that she needed it tonight, asked for a room and said that she needed it tonight… and somehow, through the process of sheer nagging, she got her way.
Kateri reflected that she should feel guilty for siccing Lilith on the inexperienced and unsuspecting proprietress, and maybe she did. But not enough to share her apartment.
Lilith held up her hand. “Don’t get up on my account. I can find my way out and around your little town.”
“You do that. I need to do some paperwork.” Actually Kateri needed to think. She watched her sister leave, then leaned back in her chair and tapped her pencil on the desk. And waited.
As expected, Bergen showed up. “Who was that?”
“My sister.”
