Chapter 6 - Henry Gave Evelyn A Job She Never Asked For
Daniel waited until Vanessa left the room.
Not the house.
Just the room.
He did not trust himself to discuss twelve years and the morning’s assault in the same breath.
Owen stayed.
Evelyn would have preferred he leave too.
Daniel asked:
“What did Dad say when he gave you the key?”
Evelyn held it in her palm.
Small brass key.
Nothing mystical about it.
Just metal carrying too many other people’s decisions.
“He asked if I remembered the night Owen left.”
“You told him?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“That my mother saw more than she said.”
Daniel looked toward the doorway.
“Did Dad know your mother told you?”
“Yes.”
“He wasn't angry?”
“He was dying.”
Owen winced.
Evelyn continued.
“He said he had made my mother carry something that wasn't hers.”
Daniel waited.
“And then he gave it to you.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Yes.”
That landed exactly as it should.
“What was his instruction?”
“If Owen contacted the house after he died, I was supposed to call him.”
Owen frowned.
“You called me before I contacted anyone.”
“I know.”
Daniel looked between them.
“Why?”
Evelyn took a breath.
“Because Mrs. Bennett scheduled the study clearing.”
“That was this morning.”
“Yes.”
“And that made you decide I was ready?”
“No.”
Daniel’s expression tightened.
Evelyn continued.
“It made me afraid there wouldn't be a room left for you to decide anything about.”
Owen looked at her.
“You could’ve called Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
There was no flattering version.
“Because I thought you would tell Vanessa.”
Daniel’s face changed.
“And?”
“And I believed she would stop it.”
He stood.
“You don't know me.”
“I know.”
“You work in my house.”
“Yes.”
“You've watched my family for years and decided my wife could control what I heard.”
Evelyn held his gaze.
“Yes.”
That angered him because it wasn't entirely wrong.
Owen stepped in.
“Daniel.”
“No.”
He looked at Evelyn.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
She forced herself to say it.
“I wanted Owen to come.”
Daniel stared.
“Why?”
Evelyn looked toward the hallway where her mother once stood.
“I was tired of being the second Carter woman paid to know when not to speak.”
Silence.
There was resentment in it.
Not noble truth-seeking.
Evelyn had wanted the sealed room opened partly because Henry asked.
Partly because Owen deserved a chance.
And partly because she wanted the Bennetts to have one family disaster they could not push back into the staff hallway.
Daniel understood enough from her face.
“You wanted this to break open.”
“Yes.”
“Did you care how?”
“I thought I did.”
He glanced at the wet clothes she had left downstairs.
“Until Vanessa poured water on you.”
Evelyn looked away.
“No.”
Owen said:
“She assaulted you.”
“I know.”
“You should report it.”
Evelyn’s eyes flashed.
“You don't get to decide that either.”
Owen stopped.
“Sorry.”
Daniel walked toward the door.
“Evelyn.”
She looked at him.
“You are done working today.”
Her expression changed.
“Am I fired?”
“No.”
“Suspended?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Daniel caught himself.
He had almost said go home.
Another instruction.
Another Bennett deciding.
He tried again.
“You can stay, leave, call the police, call the staffing agency, call whoever you want. You’re being paid either way.”
Evelyn studied him.
“Why?”
“Because my wife put her hands on you in my house.”
Owen looked toward the hall.
“And what are you doing about her?”
Daniel did not answer.
He wasn't ready.
Owen laughed softly.
“Dad would've loved that.”
Daniel turned.
Owen immediately regretted it.
Too late.
“What?”
Owen looked at his brother.
“You're angry at all the right people.”
Daniel waited.
“And still hoping you can postpone the one decision that costs you something.”
Daniel stepped toward him.
Evelyn moved between them before either brother did something stupid.
“Enough.”
Both men looked at her.
She almost laughed.
“Apparently that’s my family job too.”
Then a small voice came from the hallway.
“Evelyn?”
Lily.
She stood outside the study.
No one had heard her come upstairs.
She looked at Evelyn.
Then at her father.
“Is Mom going to pour water on her again?”
May you like
Daniel’s face changed.
The problem downstairs was no longer postponable.
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