Cui Bono

XI

"Thank you so much for agreeing to host Marisol's birthday party here."

Katherine smiled, as she and Dr. Ortega embraced. Her smile faded, though, when she saw Jocelyn approach.

"Dr. Ortega invited me."

"Just don't cause any trouble." To Jocelyn's look of injured innocence, she said, "It's me, Jocelyn. Katherine."

Jocelyn smirked at Katherine, then simpered a greeting at Dr. Ortega.

"Marisol and the other girls are inside the house."

Jocelyn smiled at Dr. Ortega, and headed into the house.

Dr. Ortega turned to Katherine. "I've heeded your warnings about Jocelyn, and I've warned Marisol. But she is an adult now."

Katherine sighed. "I know."

A 'Craft taxied down the driveway, and roamed around the parking lot until the pilot found an empty space. Katherine looked at Dr. Ortega when she saw Jean, Clayton, and Andreas exit.

"Marisol asked me to invite them."

"Hey, Kat, why'd you let Jocelyn come?

Katherine turned to Dr. Ortega, who looked at her before both women looked at Bobby and Jackson. "Marisol asked me to invite her," Dr. Ortega explained.

"What is she, stupid or brain-damaged?"

"Knowing Jocelyn, I'm guessing Marisol's brainwashed."

"Bobby."

"Is that why that choad is here?" Jackson pointed to Andreas, who, with Jean and Clayton, approached the house.

"Where are your parents?" Dr. Ortega asked.

"Inside the house."

"Why don't you join them?"

"Jocelyn's there stinking up the joint."

"Go find Jerry, then. Maybe he'll give you some chores to keep you busy. At least until the party." Katherine swept her right hand to the left of her, indicating to the boys Jerry was somewhere in that general area.

Bobby and Jackson wrinkled their noses, and walked away.

"And no stink bombs!" Katherine called after them.

"Tell that to Jocelyn," Bobby called back.

Katherine turned to Dr. Ortega. "I can't believe stink bombs are still a thing."

"I frisked them for those earlier."

"You clearly don't know Bobby like I and the rest of the family do. As for Jackson..."

"A little family trouble?"

Katherine and Dr. Ortega looked at Clayton; Jean and Andreas stood behind him. "Bobby and Jackson just felt they needed to get away from Jocelyn," Dr. Ortega explained.

Katherine, Jean, and Clayton exchanged a glance.

"Come on in." Dr. Ortega gestured for the newcomers to go the house.

Inside the house, Jocelyn sat in the sitting room, looking on and trying to mask her disgust as she watched Bianca and Marisol talk with some of the ranch's human residents, and swallowed vomit. She chanced a glance at Cammy, who looked like she would throw up at any moment.