“Keep an eye out on the people around you.”

With that, Mrs. Engel let go of Deirdre’s hand and took her luggage. She left.

Deirdre was in a daze. Brendan approached her, caressed her nipping cheeks, frowning, and asked, “What did she say to you? You don’t look so good.”

Deirdre reeled herself out of her stupor. “I’m fine,” she replied, hanging her head low. “She told me she’s leaving the country with her youngest son.”

“Leaving?” Brendan was shocked, but his surprise was short-lived. “Good. At least our paths won’t ever cross again.”

“I agree.” She nodded and let Brendan scoop her into the mansion.

Deirdre lay on her bed, but her brain was busy thinking about the things Mrs. Engel had said before she left.

‘Keep an eye on the people around you.’ That was what she had said, but on who? And why?

Mrs. Engel almost seemed too defensive. She left before Deirdre could make sense of her cryptic message, but something about her tone carried a quiet but powerful sense of severity. Mrs