Chapter 704: Beaulieu Manor
Wednesday, March 15th, Evening
The tall butler, lovingly known as Lurch, let her in with his usual curt greeting. She found herself walking through the galleries of the East Range of Beaulieu Manor, led by Lurch. She knew that Lurch liked being referred to as Major Domo, but to her, he was the butler. The East Range was the residential part of the vast mixed-use complex owned by Brooke Davis. She had been here many times, being friends with the two oldest daughters and friendly with two more. Looking at the finely decorated galleries, she wondered which of the six would inherit it all, as most had their own establishments.
Dr. Cassidy Shayla "Shay" O'Brien was shown in the Lady Parlor. Again, Shay had been to this room many times. This room was the informal social hub of the East Range of Beaulieu. Shay found the mistress of it all, standing up to greet her.
Brooke Davis was of average height, and her dark brunette hair was getting streaked with the gray of aging. Shay was at least half a head taller than Brooke, but she didn't mind. Shay knew never to underestimate Brooke Davis. Shay saw how ruthless Brooke's oldest daughters could be and learned that Brooke was leagues more savage.
"Shay, what a nice surprise; I hadn't expected you to call," Brooke said.
"Neither have I. I know I should call more, but you know life. But here I am," Shay said, trying to hide a nervous laugh.
Brooke gestured to the two couches, "Please sit, I might live in a castle, but I'm not Queen Victoria, and you're not one of my prime ministers," she said.
Shay nodded, "Okay, but I've always seen you as Queen Elizabeth," she said as she sat down. Shay could see the gears turning behind Brooke's eyes.
"Which one? The Queen Mother, The Second, or Gloriana?" Brooke asked as she took her seat.
"The second," Shay said.
"I've always liked her. So, why are you buttering me up?" Brooke asked.
Shay looked at Brooke, "I forgot that despite your accentless voice, you are from here," Shay said.
Brooke nodded, "Yes, I'm southern," she said.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Shay said.
"Why are you avoiding? Ask what you want to," Brooke said.
"Okay, I'm nervous," Shay said.
"Why? I put my pants one leg at a time, even though my balls get in the way," Brooke said.
Shay laughed, "How do you get them it fit in your pants?" she asked.
"It's tough, but I manage," Brooke said, "So, ask Shay."
Shay nodded, "There's this girl at the school. Callie Ashe is her name. Well, from what she told me, she came out to her parents, and they didn't take it too well," she said.
"What happened?" Brooke asked.
"They kicked her out," Shay said.
"Is she at the teen shelter?" Brooke asked.
"No, she's at the Saltwater Motel," Shay said.
"What? She would be better at the teen shelter," Brooke said.
"I agree, but it gets worse; she's only there as long as money on this card lasts," Shay said.
Brooke nodded, "I see, so you felt you had to bring this case to my attention," she said.
"I was taught always ask the grand dames of Tree Hill when charity is needed," Shay said.
Brooke nodded, "But me?" she asked.
"Yes, or the Misstress of Murphy House," Shay said.
"Not the dragon?" Brooke asked.
"No, not since Barnett took over the family," Shay said.
"Yeah, and Kelly is busy with her young ones," Brooke said.
Shay sighed, "Can you help here?" she asked.
Brooke nodded, "The Ashe family is an old family," she said.
"But not here," Shay said.
Brooke nodded, "True," she said and pressed a hidden button.
The silence was thunderous; when Shay was about to say something, the door opened, and Lurch appeared. Brooke looked at him. Shay started to get up, thinking her meeting was over. Brooke signaled Shay to stay.
"Yes, Ma'am?" Lurch asked.
"Yes, could you find out the work schedule of Detective Declan Gordon, please," Brooke said.
"Yes, Ma'am," Lurch said and left.
Brooke turned her attention back to Shay. The two women studied each other.
"Detective Gordon? Pulling out the big guns," Shay said.
"I need some advice and, if need be, muscle," Brooke said.
"Off the books, of course," Shay said.
"Of course," Brooke said.
"So, what do I tell Callie?" Shay said.
Brooke sighed, "It's going to take a few days to get the logistics tied down, but they will be tied down," she said.
Shay nodded, "So, what do I tell her?" she asked.
"Don't give up hope," Brooke said.
"So, do you need help tying down those loose ends?" Shay asked.
"If you can put more time in the day?" Brooke asked.
"Umm, no, why?" Shay asked.
"A lot of what I have to do is easy; it's just time to do it," Brooke said.
Shay nodded, "I understand," she said.
The door opened, and Lurch reappeared. "Ma'am, Detective Gordon is off tonight," he said.
"Very well," Brooke said, "Please, have one of the empty bedrooms by Miss Sawyer and Miss Keni readied. We're taking in another stray."
"Very well, Ma'am," Lurch said and left.
Shay looked at Brooke. "Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome, Noblesse Oblige and all that," Brooke said.
"It's more than that," Shay said.
"Yes, but that's all you're getting," Brooke said.
"Fair enough," Shay said and nodded.