Paramedics wheeled the sobbing Mrs. Stone out the front door. The red lights of the ambulance washed over the foyer, a chaotic counterpoint to the usual stillness of the mansion.
Butler Hayes approached Delina. His face was stoic, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"A regretful incident, Madam. I will contact the agency for a replacement immediately."
Delina walked to the velvet sofa in the living room and sat down, crossing her legs.
"No need, Hayes. I don't want strangers in the house right now."
Hayes raised an eyebrow. "But the housekeeping..."
"Distribute her duties among the junior staff. Give them a raise," she ordered. "Twenty percent."
Hayes nodded slowly. He had never liked Stone's imperious attitude. "Very well, Madam."
The landline phone on the side table rang. Hayes checked the caller ID. "It's Mrs. Ballard."
Delina smiled. It was a cold, sharp smile. "I'll take it."
She picked up the receiver. "Florene. How psychic of you to call."
Florene's voice was sickly sweet, dripping with fake concern. "Delina, darling! I heard sirens near your estate. Is everything alright?"
Delina knew Stone must have texted her from the stretcher.
"Yes, poor Mrs. Stone. She had a terrible fall. Clumsy thing."
Florene gasped. "Oh no! Listen, I can send over my housekeeper's cousin to help until-"
"That won't be necessary," Delina cut her off.
"But darling, you can't manage-"
"Hiram has already hired a security-cleared nursing team," Delina lied smoothly. "He's become very particular about who enters the house. New protocols."
There was a pause on the other end. The mention of Hiram always made Florene hesitate. Everyone feared Hiram Tyson.
"I see," Florene said, her tone tightening. Her spy was gone, and the replacement was blocked. "Well, surely you can come to tea tomorrow? Kassidy misses you terribly."
Delina gripped the phone tight. The image of Kassidy laughing over her death flashed in her mind.
"I'd love to," she said. "I have so much to tell you."
She hung up before Florene could push further.
Delina turned to Hayes. "Mrs. Stone is terminated effective immediately. Prepare the severance package. And the NDA. Make sure it's the strict one."
"Reason for termination?" Hayes asked, pen poised over his notepad.
"Gross negligence and damage to property," Delina said, pointing to the shards of the Ming vase being swept up by a maid.
Hayes allowed a small smirk to touch his lips. "Understood."
Delina walked to the window. The rain was starting again. She had secured the home front. Now she needed to secure her life.
She pulled out her cell phone and dialed her agent, Lana.
"Lana? Don't book that commercial," Delina said. "I have a better idea."
