Chapter 4: Do you have enough spine...

Do you have enough spine Margot? Apparently not, she thought bitterly. The question followed her all the way on her drive out to the estate along with thoughts of the woman who had the audacity to ask the question.

Of course her spontaneous invitation to Alana had not been unplanned as it appeared, her interest around the woman had yet to fade since their first meeting. And their meal had been amiable at the very least and enthralling at most. When the doctor spoke, her words were direct and unfeigned, invoking a stirring of feelings that Margot had learned were best to ignore. But she had nearly accepted the invitation back into Alana's home, her caution barely winning out at the very end. Mason was still in the habit of keeping tabs on her and to return any later would definitely rile his curiosity in an unpleasant way. Instead she only allowed letting her mind wander to what could have happened if she had taken up the offer.

They would drink whiskey neat on the couch, high heels abandoned and scattered on the floor so they could tuck their feet up on the couch to rub their tender arches. Perhaps they would continue their conversation about France or Margot would tell Alana about her horses or they would speak on the unimaginable things they endured; it wouldn't matter. Because Alana's dress would spill around them and Margot would trace the pattern of flowers mindlessly with her fingertip. Alana would comment on her perfume and lean to smell it better, her nose nearly grazing Margot's neck, her soft exhalation like a warm caress on her skin. All she had to do was turn her head and-

The fantasy misted over, receding into a different scenario. Alana mixing gin and tonics in the kitchen, while Margot leaned against the counter and stared at the delicate curve where Alana's waist tapered in and her skirt flared out. The doctor would smile devilishly when she caught her staring.

Then again her mind switched and they were standing on a back patio, drinking coffee and coat collars turned up against the wind. They'd watch the dog disappear and reappear in between trees like a pale specter. Alana would step close to take a drag of her cigarette, her red lips stick leaving a cherry stain, and the smoke would bloom from her lips. She never allowed herself to go too far in her thoughts, stopping from conjuring any real connection. It was a defense mechanism she cultivated from years of Mason destroying the things she cared about.

Her heart clenched in her chest when her thoughts were unwillingly dragged to her most recent loss. Her abdomen suddenly felt impossibly empty as she remembered Mason leaning menacingly over her and explaining how her reproductive organs would be ripped from her body along with the precious cluster of cells that would have been a baby. Her baby. She had let herself dream about him, helplessly succumbing to biology or her maternal instinct or whatever whimsical notion it had been. She imagined a little boy and all these possibilities unfolding but she should have known better than to want something so wonderful. And now there was no reason to dwell on the impossible; Margot pushed the intrusive thoughts back down as she pulled into the front entrance of Muskrat Farms.

She left her car out front with the keys dangling carelessly in the ignition. Someone would be around to return it to the garage by morning. Margot considered trying to sneak in a side entrance but thought it better to go right in the front door; the best way to act like she had nothing to hide was the most direct route. She kept her pace purposeful but demeanor uncaring, her shoes clicking steadily against the stone floor but she hadn't made it half way across the entrance when she stopped short.

"Where have you been Margot? I've been worried sick." Mason's garbled voice echoed in the grand foyer before she saw him. Then there was the eerie mechanical whirling of his wheelchair and he appeared from the shadow of the hall with his nurse Cordell lurking a few paces behind him.

"Why do you care?" She sighed impatiently at the motley pair.

"I just don't want you to be getting into any more trouble dear sister."

"You've made sure that I can't, Mason." Her eyes narrowed.

The corners of his mouth pulled back in attempts at a nostalgic smile. "Quite right but a brother just can't help worrying about his little sis."

"I've been shopping." She supplied for him then glanced at Cordell, speaking to him as if he were one of the wait staff. "There are bags in the car. Grab them for me will you."

He glared at her for the implication of such a lowly status. She continue to head for the staircase where her brother couldn't follow, trying to make a clean exit.

"Oh Margot?" He sang her name coyly. She stopped reluctantly on the first step of the stairs, gripping the banister with white-knuckle frustration. Taking a deep breath she turned back around to face Mason. "Since I have you here, I've been wanting to ask you. Tell me what do you think of Dr. 'loom?"

Panic seized her for a moment that Mason could know something of her intentions with the psychiatrist. She managed to keep her expression a banal mask of indifference, speaking slowly as if the first time she'd considered the doctor and coming up with a callous observation. "She's attractive. For a cripple."

"I don't care about your perversion Margot." He sneered. "I mean tell what kind of person you think she is. Is she someone we can do business with?"

No, he didn't suspect anything she realized. As cruel as Mason could be, he had very little tact and rather enjoyed flaunting his barely veiled threats. She calmed and retorted with annoyed boredom. "You sent me out of the room Mason. How am I to know?"

"Yes, perhaps I was a little hasty to dismiss you." Mason admitted. "You see Margot I need your help with something."

"And what could I possibly help you with?"

"Cordell, why don't you go grab those bags."

"But sir-" He protested indignantly.

"Now, Cordell." Mason ordered firmly. The man stalked off with an unconcealed scowl. The siblings waited to continue until the heavy oak door slammed shut behind him.

"What's this about Mason?"

"I won't insult your intelligence. I'm going after Dr. Lecter. He'll answer for what he's done to me." He took a labored breath. "I'm recruiting Dr. 'loom for assistance."

"And where would I come into this?"

"There are certain tasks I need done. Phones calls that need to be made off the property, funds transferred in the bank, things that I couldn't accomplish with my physical limitations. That's where you would come in."

"Why not have Nurse Frankenstein take care of it?" She asked suspiciously.

"Cordell is indispensable to me in many ways but there are just some things that should be left in the family. Don't you think it's about time we do something as a family Margot?"

Instantly Margot knew this was less about including her in his plans and more about being able to implicate her in his crimes. In dealing with Mason he wasn't so much a double-edged sword as much as he was an unpinned grenade; the destruction was assured. Her instincts, her experience with Mason shouted for her to turn down the offer because nothing good could come from this; it would all be fruit from the poisoned tree. And yet the opportunity to be on the inside, learning the banking information, account numbers, routing numbers, would be very beneficial. Mason always over estimated himself, and perhaps now he considered her truly docile, beaten, sterile, that she couldn't possible be dangerous to him any longer. Do you have enough spine Margot?

Alana's words came back to her again and she felt fortified. Brother and sister stared at each other challengingly before Margot finally answered his original question, "From my impression of Dr. Bloom, it seems like she is someone who uses discretion. From what I've read in the papers she has just as much reason for wanting Dr. Lecter dispensed with as you. And besides, what's the alternative?"

"'Atta girl Margot. I think were going to make an excellent team." He crowed.

Cordell came in then, empty handed and his hairless head pink from the cold or irritation. "There were no packages in the car."

Unfettered by his attitude Margot made a hopeless gesture. "Oh, must have slipped my mind. They're being couriered over tomorrow."

He looked like he was about to say something but she cut him off. "Don't worry, there's still one for you to take care of. Smells like your colonoscopy bag needs changed Mason."

With that she turned to make her ascension, leaving the men far beneath her.