Charlie tried so hard to remember what had happened after she talked to Vaggie and what her dream was about but she just couldn't put the pieces together. Her memory search was then halted by a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" She called.
"It's Mimzy, may I please come in?"
"Yes."
Mimzy opened the door and came in with a breakfast tray.
"Good morning." She greeted. "Niffty had to run out this morning so she didn't have time to cook you and your friends a big meal. However she was able to make you each a hot bowl of porridge with lots of milk and sugar. So lucky you, breakfast in bed." She brought the tray over to her. "Also Mr. Pentious was kind enough brew up some breakfast tea."
"Thank you." Charlie said. "Where exactly did Niffty go?"
"Well your fair haired friend never did come back last night so she went to give a report to the police."
"Oh my God that's right! Angel is missing! Vaggie and I were talking about that and I...I'm not sure what I did after that. When did I go to bed? I don't remember that. Oh what am I saying! I can't think about that right now! I have to go find him!"
Charlie started to get out of bed.
"Don't panic Mademoiselle, we just received a call from her saying that she ran into Husk on the way to the station and this Angel was with him."
"He was?"
"Yes and all three of them are on their way here right now."
"Thank goodness."
"Now you enjoy your breakfast and I'll inform you of their arrival immediately."
"Thank you again Mimzy. You're very kind."
"Think nothing of it Mademoiselle."
Mimzy quietly left the bedroom and had intended to bring Vaggie her breakfast next but stopped when she saw Alastor down the hall. She approached him causally but with also with caution.
"Good monring Mimzy." He greeted.
"Good morning Alastor." She greeted in return.
"I've noticed you've returned from Charlotte's room, how is she?"
"She appears well rested but does not seem to recall certain events from last night."
"Perfect. See to it that Miss Gonzales is given her breakfast while it's still hot."
"Of course but might I request a moment of your time to converse with you on something?"
""You may. I always have time to speak with my staff."
"It is about Mademoiselle Morningstar."
"What about her? Don't tell me she's insulted you or anything like that."
"Oh not at all. She's very polite and friendly toward me."
"Of course she is." He sighed. "Master, servant, slave, none of it made any difference to her."
"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"We all know what this is really about. What you hope to obtain from this invite and I have to ask, is this wise? Should you have really brought her here? For all you know, it probably isn't even her."
"It is her. Mr. Pentious's tests confirmed it. I may be slightly unhinged Mimzy but I am not a fool. I wouldn't have done this unless I was completely certain, and I am."
"If you say so but I am terrified of what effect this woman will have on you. I could not bear to see her inflict such pain on you again."
"Careful with your words Mimzy." He warned. "She was not the one who caused my suffering."
"But technically she did -"
"Technically she wouldn't have done what she did if people like her father had just left the two of us in peace."
There was a slight twinge of madness in his eyes and his tone while mostly calm, you could make a small hint of rage. But he kept it all under control. He knew better than to let his emotions get out of hand.
"Even so." Mimzy continued. "I'm not sure if this is healthy for you."
"I'm inclined to agree sir." Mr. Pentious said entering the conversation. "I'm almost certain that this method of recovery will prove to be futile."
"Well it's definitely more progressive than the method you suggested." Alastor said.
"Sir I admit the idea might have been a bit far fetched-"
"Far fetched? It was pure insanity and I know insanity. Now I'm grateful to you both for you concern, I truly am, but I must insist that neither one of you make assumptions about things you don't understand. And I can assure you all that I know what I'm doing. Now if you all will please excuse me."
He continued further down the hall and entered the room at the end which was his study. He stepped inside, sat down at his desk, and proceeded to look over the status reports of his business. From what he read, things were going well and there were no mishaps. Next he took a moment to calculate the pay and write the pay checks of his employees, making sure that each worker would receive the amount that they had earned. The last thing he did was write down his yearly evaluation and he was leaving his study to mail the evaluation and pay checks, he spotted Charlie looking at the window which was located on the other end of the hall.
She was anxiously waiting for Angel's return and searching the road for any sign of him arriving at the house. Alastor could sense her anxiety and he did not like seeing her so tense. This was, after all, a vacation.
"Good morning my dear." He said to her in a chipper voice.
"Good morning Alastor." She said with a smile.
"Is something bothering you? You appear to be distressed."
"I'm just waiting for Angel. I know your staff found him but I want to make sure that he's okay. That he's not hurt or anything."
"I take it that it is not very often for him to be absent for this long?"
"Not without a word to us. He usually calls if he's going to be out all night."
"Well the signal for mobile phones around here aren't very reliable, you know. He probably tried to call plenty of times but couldn't get any...Uh...what is it you call it? Bars?"
"Yes, you're probably right. Still I'll feel a lot better once he's back."
"Speaking of feeling better, I think today you should take a break from writing and unwind a little. Now that I'm finished with my business affairs, I plan to spend a relaxing day in the sun, catching crawfish. Would you and your friends care to join me?"
"Oh that's awfully sweet but I've never fished before."
"Oh it's as easy as learning to ride a bike. And the river I fish in, is completely cut off from the public eye and unknown to all save for who resides in my household, so it'll be very peaceful and quiet."
"I don't know. Promise that you won't let alligators eat me up while we're down there?" She grinned.
"My dear Charlotte, those overgrown lizards wouldn't dare think to feast on any guest of mine. But I'll bring my shot gun just to be on the safe side."
Charlie giggled.
"Alright then. I'll try my hand at catching crawfish and ask Vaggie and Angel if they would like to, too."
"Splendid. When Niffty returns I'll have her prepare a picnic lunch for us to bring along. Though could you tell me what kind of food you and your friends enjoy?"
"Of course, but we're not very picky. Some sandwiches will do just fine."
"Anything in particular?"
"Not really, though Angel does favor an Italian sub."
"I'll see what we have in the fridge and in the cupboard."
"Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?"
"No, you're the guest. You shouldn't have to lift a finger in this house."
"But I don't mind and I wouldn't want you to go through all that trouble without me doing something."
"Ah but you did not ask to accompany me on my activity, I invited you. Therefore you are not obligated to do a thing in matters of preparation. Except inform your friends of my offer."
"I will."
"And please be on time, meet me in the living room at 11:00 sharp."
"I'll be on time."
"See you then."
He turned around and walked on down the stairway. As Charlie watched him leave, she thought that he had a little skip in his step. As if he was very excited about them spending the day together.
"If I didn't know any better." She thought to herself. "I'd swear that he had asked me out on a date."