And waited. **** Pulling herself together, Emma returned, finding Liam relaxing and nursing his mug close. ‘Did you and Mrs. Chan have a nice talk?...�� She asked lightly, smiling as she moved closer, but not too close. Instead she chose to keep the counter between them, crossing her arms and leaning against the counter top. He made a noncommittal little grunt and gave her the most serious of looks. ‘She makes me crave fried rice.’ Caught off guard, Emma threw her head back and laughed. Not just a. She had paused long enough, after kissing him goodbye, to see the heavy antique door open and a robust, rather imperious mamma emerge to pull him back into the orbit of familial responsibility. She smiled,“Good boy Carlo.”She hoped that his redemption in the eyes of his mother would not be long in coming. Her mind then flashed back to lunch when, after repeatedly sniffing, weighing and examining the truffle for the good part of half an hour, Carlo had finally decided that there was nothing. "As I expect, he changes the subject, "Well Ms. Reynolds, if you don't want to talk about the battle at Ms. Donaldson's cabin perhaps you'd care to tell me what your relationship is with the Sedankina twins and their brother?"I smile and explain as if to a child, "They live with us at the cabin and occasionally they watch my son Ivan."He frowns and questions, "You do know they are spies, don't you?"I let my facial façade slip to show surprise and counter, "SA Hotchner! That is news for me,. "Haunted!" His driverexclaimed as they approached. "You not going there?" It's my job," Chris replied. "I just sell them. Ghosts are a plus forsome buyers, marketed in the right way."He headed towards the old house to wait for the couple who were coming toview it. They were older, mid-fifties, a well-established couple lookingfor a place to renovate before they retired to live there. Ed and Maryappeared right on time and joined Chris at the front door. He usheredthem in, and started.