When someone dies mysteriously during a Psych experiment, Rhiannon becomes enmeshed in a conspiracy that includes both the survivors and the killer.
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Short on cash, Rhiannon...
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CHAPTER THIRTY
JUST-WORLD PHENOMENON
( — the tendency of people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get. )
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RHIANNON'S HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. There are plenty of places she wishes she was at right now, especially her bed, but she seems to be out of luck; instead, she's having Sunday brunch with the Sargents in a too well-lit room that nearly makes her want to scream.
Unfortunately, she can't do that, so she just sits perfectly still in her high chair (and throwing jealous glances at the various bubble chairs scattered around the garden; they're big enough to fit her tall self in them, as long as she remains in a sitting position, and she can even slouch and cross her legs inside its protection). The coffee is served, she hangs her sunglasses on the crown of her head and Ezra reaches out for a plate of sugar cubes.
"That's disgusting, Ez," Jude points out, and Ezra raises an eyebrow, in that arrogant way only he can pull off, and makes sure to dump an extra sugar cube inside his cup, stirring it with a silver spoon. "Stop that."
"Why? I like it this way."
"You like it the wrong way."
"There's no right way of taking your coffee." He brings the cup to his lips, ironically sticking out his pinky finger, and smacks his lips after swallowing the beverage. Samantha Sargent throws him quite an impressive glare, one she usually reserves for people dumping trash on the street, the Fords and insects. "Amazing. This is the best thing I have ever tasted. Rhea, coffee?"
Rhiannon shifts in her chair, pouring herself a second cup after he hands her the coffee pot, and the birds chirp around them, jumping from branch to branch. Even though it's a foggy day, as usual, the sun can be seen from behind the clouds and even the wind has given Vofield a break, ensuring today's brunch could be held outside in the gazebo.
She's flattered to be invited to these things, something that seems so intimate that only family should be invited, but Sean dismisses her worries, pointing out she has "always been family, anyway". That, along with her throbbing hangover and the stupidly overemotional state she has been in, was nearly enough to bring her to tears, but she managed to pull herself together at the very last second.
She even gets special treatment behind these iron gates. Even though Samantha can't treat her as her literal daughter for obvious reasons, she pampers her and cares about her in a way a devoted, caring mother would. After seeing how downright miserable Rhiannon looked after she and Jude stepped through the front door, she immediately rushed her to the so-called 'beauty room'.
