"Don't bother." As soon as the police officers moved aside, Mathew stormed out of the house.
Laura quickly got up and went to the window. She smiled as she watched him walk down the drive, go through the gate, and disappear down the street. Then she turned to the officers. "Will you tell the security guards not to let him back in?"
"Yes, Ma'am, we'll tell them." Both officers nodded and closed the door behind them.
Laura had a smug look on her face when she locked the front door, climbed the stairs and put herself to bed.
*
By the time Georgia arrived, Jackie and her team had put all their research materials and equipment away, and straightened the place. Michael and Carl were off to bed, and only Jackie remained to greet her.
"I'll be right outside the door," the security guard said after Jackie invited Georgia in.
"Thank you," said Georgia.
"You look exhausted," said Jackie, closing the door.
She took a moment to look around. "I have walked past this hotel a hundred times, and I never once guessed what it looked like inside. It is very big and very beautiful. Is this how the other half lives?"
"This half anyway. Come sit down and take your shoes off. Austin called. Your clothes will be here shortly and if they need to be washed, the hotel will do it for you."
Instead of sitting down, Georgia walked to the window and stared at the Gladstone Building across the plaza. "Maid service?" Georgia asked.
"Yes. I expect you'll like getting used to that."
"I will, I've been doing mine in the kitchen sink."
Jackie smiled. "I remember doing that in college. We hear you are a very good artist."
"Not very good, but it is something I love. You know a lot about me?" In the top floor of the building across the plaza, a light went on behind closed drapes.
"I will send you a report, if you like." It wasn't hard for Jackie to guess what she was looking at. She got up and went to stand beside her at the window. "Austin's suite is on the top floor, but he works on the floor below that one."
"I would like that."
"What, dear?"
"I would like a copy of your report."
"Then you shall have it as soon as it is written."
"Will it contain everything you learned about me?"
Jackie wrinkled her brow. "Yes, I will leave nothing out."
"Will you send a copy to Austin?"
"I have to, he hired us."
Georgia finally turned away from the window. "Of course you must, but I would like to see it first."