She figured she’d slid in and out of wakefulness a few times during the scalp massage, but didn’t care if she died and was resuscitated. Lastly, ...e got some shampoo and washed her hair. Not once but twice. With his soapy hands he again massaged her neck as her head was supported by the tub rim and her muscles completely slack. He left the bathroom for a moment and returned with a plastic quart tub, the kind you get with your take out soup from a Chinese restaurant. He filled it from the tap. “You are not going to let him off that easily are you?” came Roderick’s voice. Apparently he had come from upstairs. “What do you think?” Sonja said coldly. “So what’s the plan?” said Roderick and came to sit next to her. “Well…I think Rupert is going to have a long holiday sooner than expected, and then we invite Wendy for the party…and it’s time we invite our slut too,” said Sonja evilly. “ You mean Aida? And we’re moving up the plan too? Now we are talking. Thank goodness for that!” Roderick. “I told you, that you should have married that girl, now look at the consequences.” Her voice held steel but her face showed compassion with my plight.I blinked, how did she know what happened already? My face must have showed some of my confusion since she replied, “You didn’t return with that woman and I heard that Kalabar is active again.”“Yes, they were bribing the council of Fairview, not that I think that it would have taken much encouragement, since their primary source of slaves dried. As for the proposal, I would be happy to stay as long as necessary to allow you to evaluate it.”“Please, allow my hostess lead you to your room,” said, ringing a bell that was by his side. An elegant, thirty-something woman of what Althea decided was a uniquely exotic heritage stepped into the library. Althea rose carefully, making sure she did not flash her host, and offered the woman her hand. She merely nodded.“Follow me, please,” she said, turning and walking away.“We’ll meet in two hours,”.