The Baron and his Lady

Twelve: La Chambre

"Maybe Letecia had nowhere else to go.." Louie tried to sound casual, I think he's not convinced that the  former governess would have an affair with her employer. "The new Baron had no other family member as well, he had known her since he was a child. He couldn't just let her go."

"You have a point." Tristane answered, "Letecia was raised by her spinster aunt after her own mother left the country with another man. Her aunt died while she was employed with the Norwoods."

"Well, it doesn't like it'll point us why Lucian disappeared. This is like a side story of the story itself." I stared at Louie, he's either taunting Tristane or just oblivious he was making an ass of himself. "Its like the author decided to include a little love story to keep us off the track. Like a distraction of some kind."

"Aren't you curious how Letecia and the Baron began their affair?" Tristane remained calm.

Louie shrugged, "If it helps the research I'm all ears. Those letters didn't happen to mention why Lucian decided to ran away, did it?"

"I haven't read everything, half or so. I won't promise anything like that though." Tristane tried to patronise him.

"Then its a dead end."

"Maybe." I said and joined at the table, my hands shuffling through the letters, "Still, this is a new clue of what their lives used to be. Dad will appreciate this Tristane." I smiled at him.

"Glad to help. You wanna explore the rest of the house?" He offered, I recalled he wanted us to check the master's bedroom.

The phone rang, we all stared at it. I used the chance to escape and think of an answer for him, afterall I need to speak with Tristane alone.

"Hello?"

"Krista? Is that you?" It was a woman's voice the car's engine sounded on the background. "Its Emma, sweetie."

I frowned, "Emma? Are you looking for Dad? He's not here right now.." I didn't know she had the number at the manor. She usually don't interfer with Dad's research.

"Oh, did I just miss him? You know when he'll be back?"

"Probably this afternoon. You can try his cell, he's in town."

"I tried, he's not picking up."

Weird, unless Dad slept or the phone is far away he usually answer's immidiately. "Uhm, maybe the battery died. I can try him later. Is this urgent?"

"No, nothing important at all. Just wanted to check up on you guys." It sounded like she wanted to something else but changed her mind abruptly. I didn't push.

"I'll tell him to call you as soon as I can reach him."

"Thanks sweetie. You take care, okay? Bye.."

I placed the phone down, curiousity eating me up. Why do I feel like something isn't right here? Emma knows Dad always kept his cell with him if he can't help losing it, which happened a lot. Everytime Dad travelled far she gets him right away. They couldn't have fought, did they? I hope it isn't that bad. She seemed restless like it felt that way when I listened to her voice.

"Was that Dr. Neville?" Louie asked.

"No, it was Emma actually. Says she can't reach Dad's cell." I sat back down, next to Tristane.

Louie regarded us for a second then went back to his laptop, "Probably got no coverage. There's a dead spot in town."

"You're right," I turned to Tristane "say why don't we finish the tour? So Louie here can continue whatever he's looking at?"