Secrets of Hallstead House by Amy M Reade Read Free Book Online Page B

rolled her eyes at him and smiled, shaking her head.
    “Always the flirt,” she answered.
    When she returned to the kitchen, Will turned to me.
    “So, living on the West Side, you’re probably familiar with the clubs in that area,” he said.
    “Not really,” I acknowledged. “I don’t go to any clubs.”
    “How about that wine bar right on Columbus Circle?” he probed.
    I knew the place he meant. Exclusive, expensive. “No, I’ve never been there either,” I replied with a politeness I did not feel.
    “No? Did you get to see any of the new shows on Broadway before you came up here?” he continued. This was getting tiresome.
    “One doesn’t go to those places on a nurse’s salary,” I informed him. Will seemed finally to get the point and stopped talking.
    We ate our soup in silence for several moments and then I told them, “I’d like to get Alex to start taking her meals in the dining room. She’s eaten all her meals on a tray in her room, and I think it would do her good to eat with other people.”
    “ ‘Alex’? Awfully familiar, aren’t we?” Will asked me.
    “She asked me to call her Alex,” I replied.
    “I think it would be wonderful if you could get her to start eating meals with other human beings again,” said Stephan. “It’s been quite a long time since I’ve seen her eat anywhere but her own rooms.”
    “I’ll mention it to her tomorrow,” I promised.
    Over the rest of dinner, which was a magnificent beef tenderloin, the three of us, led by Stephan, made small talk about the very lively history of Cape Cartier. Stephan seemed to know a great deal about the area, and he was a captivating storyteller. Thankfully, Will did not have much of an opportunity to quiz me further about my social life in Manhattan.
    After dessert I excused myself, leaving the two men alone to discuss business. Before going upstairs, I checked in on Alex to make sure that she didn’t need anything further from me.
    I found her reading a book in her sitting room, still dressed in her suit. She said she’d be fine for the rest of the evening, so I went upstairs.
    Before changing into my pajamas, I was anxious to try my hand at building my first fire. Feeling a little silly, I took the kindling and logs and crumpled newspapers out of the fireplace and laid them on the hearthrug next to me. I then repeated the steps I had watched Leland take. I struck one of the long matches Leland had left for me and cautiously reached into the fireplace and touched the flame to the paper and kindling. Ever so slowly, the flames began to spread and get bigger. I was delighted at this small victory, and I sat back on my heels to enjoy the fire unfolding before my eyes.
    Not wanting to miss any of this beautiful show, I hurried into the bathroom to wash and put on my pajamas. It took me only a few short moments.
    When I stepped out of the bathroom I knew immediately that something had gone wrong. The room was quickly filling with a thick, choking smoke, and for just a split second, I stood there, my mind paralyzed with fear. An image of my parents’ car engulfed in flames following their accident flashed through my mind, and it seemed to jolt me into action. I sprang across the room and in a few seconds was dashing down the stairs, yelling “Fire! Everyone out!” at the top of my lungs. I bolted into Alex’s rooms, where she was still reading in front of her own gaily crackling fire.
    “Alex,” I panted, “there’s a fire. We have to get you out.”
    “What!?” she exclaimed. She looked up at me with horror and confusion. “But how—”
    I grabbed her book and tossed it aside, then took her hands and, as gently and quickly as I could, helped her stand up. I put my arms around her quaking shoulders and led her toward the door I had seen Stephan and Will use earlier in her office. I was helping her quickly through the bedroom when Stephan burst in.
    “What’s going on?” he asked quickly, taking Alex’s hand and