I feel flushed.’ She shifted to the edge of the bed to be nearer me. ‘I’m so sorry I was rude when you came in. I don’t know what I was thinki...g of. You’re a lovely man. It’s no wonder all these girls like you.’ She paused and for a few moments simply sat there gazing at me. Then her academic outlook reasserted itself and with a visible effort to concentrate she spoke in a more analytic vein. ‘It’s extraordinary,’ she said. ‘Nothing has changed, yet everything has changed. You’re still the same. Devan nudged her charmed rodent toward the boards, and it quickly found the means to squeeze beneath the floor. Though far too long a drop for the tiny mouse, Devan knew that the distance was easily within reach of Aristel to access the long-sealed cellar below. At first, she could see no evidence of anyone having entered the cellar. Then, she recognized broken cobwebs and a single, partially obscured footprint.Deciding that she'd learned all she could at the moment with the mouse, Devan. ”“He was murdered in San Antonio.”“My uncle?” she said evenly, which made me think she suspected, or knew, of her uncle’s activities.“I’d put money on it,” I said. “So the thing to do is simply go about your life and keep this between us. Don’t let on that I know or that I’ve figured things out. I’m curious about what you said to your uncle about Rachel being friends with Birgit and you coming to the house.”“That you felt guilty and were doing your best to help me.”“Then keep that up. Have you. I'd be afraid she'd take a poke at me or something. God, have you seen those arms? But then, of course you have. Oh... you bitch. You lucky bitch." Rhonda... I'm very uncomfortable talking about this here." Come into my office," Rhonda said, leading her down the hall."Maybe we shouldn't," Laura said, trying to pull away."Of course we should."Rhonda pulled Laura into her office and shut the door. Suddenly they were uncomfortable. Both remembered that the last time they both were here, Rhonda had.