Those who are living in the natural life have faults, but nothing is being done to change them.
JEANNE GUYON
SHE SETS HER purse on the credenza, drapes her jacket across the back of her chair, and presses the intercom button on the phone on her desk. She asks Hannah to come to her office. She puts on her glasses, reaches for a pen, and writes Jenna's name on the top sheet of a yellow legal pad. She underlines the name and begins scribbling notes until she's interrupted by a tap on the door.
"Come in."
"Good afternoon, Madame." Hannah stops in front of Brigitte's desk.
"The report, please, Hannah."
Hannah reaches into the pocket of her apron and pulls out a small sheet of notebook paper and begins to read. "She took breakfast at 8:15 in the kitchen with Nicoletta. Coffee and toast. At 9:00, the home health-care nurse arrived. They took the elevator upstairs, where Jenna could lie down while the line was inserted. The nurse left about 9:45. At 10:25, I heard her call for a cab. She left about 10:40. She said she'd return sometime after lunch." Hannah glances at her watch. "She isn't back yet."
"Of course she's back. She's in her room now. Really, Hannah, can just anyone walk into this house unnoticed?" She taps her pen against the edge of the desk. "Never mind. Where did she go?"
"She didn't say, Madame. She was dressed casually."
"Did you see the cab? Get the number?"
"No. Not this time." Hannah shifts her weight from one foot to the other.
"La méfiance est mère de la sûreté."
"I'm sorry, Madame. I don't understand."
"It is simple, Hannah. Mistrust is the mother of security. A simple principle—one you must learn. If you do not, I will be forced to replace you. Oui?"
"Yes, Madame."
Brigitte scrawls a few more notes on the pad of paper. "Have a seat." She motions to one of the chairs across the desk from her. She leans back in her chair, removes her glasses, and looks at Hannah. "I'm concerned about Jenna. Her welfare. The infection is, I believe, taking a toll. She isn't acting herself."
Hannah nods.
"I'd like to make certain that it is only the illness that's influencing her and not something else." She pushes back from her desk, stands, and walks around to the front of the desk where she perches on the edge, near Hannah. She lowers her voice. "She spends an inordinate amount of time at her computer. I'd like to know why."
Hannah nods.
"You understand, oui?"
"Yes, Madame. Give me a few days."
She leans forward and places her hand on Hannah's shoulder. "Merci."
After dismissing Hannah, she sits back at her desk. She must keep Jenna in check. The insolence she's demonstrated in the last couple of days will not be tolerated. What is prompting the change? Perhaps it is the illness. Or perhaps it is something more. Or someone more.
She picks up the phone and punches in a number, her acrylic nails clicking on the number pad. "Marcus? Yes, hello. I'm fine, thank you. You? Mm-hm. And how's Estelle? Good to hear. Listen, Marcus, you'll be having guests this weekend. Oui. Gerard and Jenna are taking a few days away. I told them I'd alert you so the chateau's ready and you have the kitchen stocked. Of course, I knew you would. What's that? Oh, yes, they'll arrive tomorrow evening and stay through the middle of next week. They'll let you know for sure once they arrive. Yes. Merci, Marcus."
Satisfied, she hangs up the phone then jots another series of notes on the pad before she turns to her keyboard.
Gerard,
I'd like you to spend a few days in the valley to make initial contact with the wineries on Andee's list. Don't play our hand, of course. Just get a read on things. Do what you do best, darling. I've contacted Marcus—he and Estelle know you're coming and the chateau will be ready. Take Jenna with you—perhaps a dose of the valley will be healing. I told Marcus the two of you will arrive tomorrow evening. Let's meet in the morning, 8:00 a.m., to go over details.
B.
She sends the e-mail.
Yes, it will be good to get Jenna away for a few days.