Chapter 56

Justin ordered a cab picked me up early in the morning. I had told Maria we would interview her for the paper, and she seemed excited about it. I told Justin this, and he seemed really happy to hear it.

"You nervous?" He asked me as I came into the cab.

"Kind of."

"It's a bit nerve-wracking at first, but once you get started, it's easy."

I nodded and gave him a small smile. 

"You have the questions?"

"Mhm," I said, holding up my notebook.

Justin gave the cab driver the address to Maria's house.

I pulled out my purse, "It's a pricey trip we can split."

He put his hand over mine, "don't worry about it; this is on the school's dime."

"Really?"

"Yeah, we can even get lunch afterward and put it on the card."

I gave him an impressed look.

"So you know this guy? Ted?"

"I've met him briefly a few times."

"Would have preferred his brother."

"Well, their father passed away."

"Well, he would have been great, but I meant Allen."

"Oh." This is the second time he mentioned interviewing Allen. I could tell he was disappointed we weren't. I had thought of a lame excuse as to why it had to be Ted and he kind of bought it, so when Maria told me Allen would be out of the country with Robbie, it was a big relief that I didn't have to lie anymore.

When we got to the Manor, Maria met us at the front steps. She gave me a hug and kissed my temple, then shook Justin's hand.

"You were president last year," she said cocking her head to the side.

"Hopefully this year as well," Justin said, suddenly sounding flustered. Maria's beauty tended to have that effect on people if they weren't used to it.

She gave him a big smile, and I thought he would faint on the spot, "well, I'm sure you'll win this year as well. Come inside. Lia, I think Teddy is in the study; you know your way around. Come Justin we can do this in the gardens."

"I'm going to use the bathroom first," I said.

She gave me a thumbs-up as she led Justin towards the French doors in the kitchen.

I ran upstairs and prayed that Robbie's room was not locked.

It wasn't, thank goodness.

I noted despite myself that the room smelled good like him. Clean and woodsy. I walked along the bookcases, my fingers passing gently over the spines, looking for where he would have placed the journals.

Nothing. I paused on a picture he had of us leaning against some books. I felt the pinpricks of tears in the corners of my eyes and then shook it off.

I checked under his bed, which was surprisingly spotless.

I remembered his catch-all drawer. Nothing. Finally, I checked the chest at the foot of his bed. Usually, there were only blankets here. I shoved my arm inside and felt around. Bingo. I pulled out the blankets and found the four I was looking for, then shoved them into my backpack. I placed the blankets back as orderly as I could. Robbie would notice if something was messy.

As I was about to shut the lid of the chest, something caught my eye. Two velvet boxes I must have shaken loose in my search for the notebooks.

I stared at them, a nasty feeling coiling itself into my spine.

They are just earrings for his mom. Close the lid.

I grabbed one and opened it up. Inside was a very ornate ring. Ruby and diamond, with a band clustered in little diamonds. It was sparkling and caught the light in ways I didn't think was possible. I closed it shut. I opened the other one. Another ring in just a plain setting this time. Gold band decently sized oval-shaped diamond. What the fuck. Where rich people are so ridiculous, they would get multiple rings to choose from? I shut the lid close.

Maybe these were just heirlooms. I thought about what Viviana said. I felt the blood drain from my face and staggered back until I hit his dresser. I closed my eyes, trying to catch my breath to stand up without feeling as if I were going to pass out.

"Lia?"

I opened my eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

I looked up to see Robbie. He had been taking a shower. Had a towel wrapped around his waist.

He looked surprised more than upset.

"I am visiting Maria," I managed to say.

"In my room?"

"I was trying to find a book I lent you; I need it for a class."

"Which book?"

"Silas Marner"

Silas Marner was currently on my bed half-read. 

"Okay. I don't remember borrowing that, Eliot, right?" he said but made his way over to his bookcase anyway. I tried not to look at his broad back and instead busied myself with memorizing the warping on his floor.

"I don't have it, Lia."

"Must have lent it to someone else," I said, desperate to get out of there.

"Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," I practically squeaked as I ran out.

By the time I made it to the study, I was a bit calmer.

Ted was in there like Maria said. He was drinking an amber-colored liquid and writing something in a notebook.

If Noah was here, he would mention something along the lines of "what is it with this family and journaling."

"Excuse me," I said, rapping my knuckle against the door frame.

"Yes?"

"I'm with the school paper. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions?"

He looked me up and down and then smiled, "Sure."

I sat down on the armchair across from where he stood. He walked over and closed the door. Then leaned against one of the many bookcases that lined the walls.

"So your name is Ted."

"It is."

"Is that short for something?"

"It is short for Edward."

"So Edward Bennett," I knew I still sounded flustered, and I took a deep break to calm myself down.

Ted looked at me amused, "Shit, name isn't it? My grandmother really must have hated us."

"Your mother didn't choose your name?"

"No. Grandmother did. Dad's mom. Named the five of us."

"The five?"

"Had twin sisters, Rosemary and Kathleen they died in a boating accident."

"I'm sorry."

"I never met them."

"Your grandmother is English," I said, knowing this from conversations I had with Robbie about his family.

"Dad was too, and mom, but she grew up here."

"So, how long did you go to Trinity for? When did you graduate?"

"Three years, I never graduated."

"Why?"

"Not a school guy. Though, maybe if all the girls at the time looked like you, I would have stayed a bit longer."

I gritted my teeth and gave him a tight smile.

"What did you do when you graduated?"

"Worked for my dad."

"At the bank?"

He tipped his glass towards me, "You did your research."

"Did you like working there?"

"No. I left the job in less than a year, took a trip."

"To where?"

"Around. Made it all the way to South America after a few years. Met my ex-wife."

Participated in a drug cartel, I thought to myself.

"Sounds romantic."

"She's a fucking bitch. Put that in your paper."

"So, how is, or was, your relationship with your brothers? They also went to Trinity, didn't they?"

"Kid, wouldn't you rather interview Allen? He's probably around somewhere. He did the whole education thing. Better material for your paper."

"Well, we're both already here," I said, trying to sound casual.

"My brothers were better at school. They graduated before I even started high school. Allen was great at sports, a lady's man. Captain of the football team yadda yadda, Bobby was a dork, but he was valedictorian, and all the teachers kissed his ass."

"Robbie's mom went to school there as well."

"Yeah, she was older than me. I think in Allen's grade. I could be wrong. The years become a bit of a blur."

Especially when you're coked out.

"How was she?"

"Luz? Valedictorian, she was a looker. Would come by the house a lot. I had a big crush on her at one point."

"Did Robbie's father know?"

"That I had a crush on her? Everyone had a crush on her. I think every boy in the tri-state area was at the airport the day she graduated and went back to her country."

"You got out of prison right before Robbie's father died, right?" I knew this was pushing it.

He paused, "Yeah, a few months."

"How was your relationship with him?"

He shrugged, "Fine. He was my big brother. He was kind of annoying in that way perfect big brothers are."

"Like you and Allen?"

"No. Bobby was different. He had everything. Pretty wife, perfect kids who worshiped him, great job."

"You want that?"

"Not really seemed a bit boring to me. The whole Stepford life."

"Then why did he annoy you?"

"I appreciated him trying to get me custody of my kids, but it's annoying to be told to be something you don't want to be. Over and over again. Grating."

I didn't expect him to answer at most to give me some of the hand remarks.

Then I noticed the half-empty bottle of Blue-Label.

"Yeah I can imagine it could drive you insane," I said lightly.

He paused, his eyes narrowed.

"What are you asking me? The school told you to ask these questions?"

"I'm sorry?"

"What are you accusing me of?"

"Nothing." I felt my heart start beating as if I had just finished running a marathon.

"Nothing?" he asked, standing up. He walked over to where I was. I stood up as well and tried to maintain distance.

"Where do I know you from? I've seen you before," He said. His face was close to mine; his breath smelled like the bourbon he was drinking.

I took a step back and hit the bookcase.

He smiled, "are you frightened? What are you frightened of. Aren't we just talking?"

"Yes. But I-I think we should sit down in those chairs," I stuttered, pointing behind him.

"Why? You want to get to know me, don't you? We can get to know each other really well."

His hand came up to push my hair behind my shoulder. I pressed the notebook I was holding to my breasts and closed my eyes.

"Please. I only have a few questions left. Maria knows I'm here."

I heard a door slam upstairs.

"What's going on here?"

Robbie. Where did he come from?

"I thought I locked the door," Ted muttered, "I'm doing an interview with one of your schoolmates. You can leave, little nephew."

"No. I think you're done. Cecilia, you can go now. I think your invitation has come to an end."

I ducked under Ted's arm and grabbed my bag with shaky hands.

"I'll get someone to walk you out," Robbie said as he opened the doors leading to the hallway and stood by them expectantly.

I stared at him. My heart was pounding in my chest.

"I think the little master wants you to leave, puppet," Ted said, slouching into a chair as if nothing had happened.

I looked at Robbie and then grabbed a notebook. When I stepped out of the room, he followed me.

"What the hell were you doing?" he said, sharply.

"Running an interview for the paper."

He looked at me confused, "You aren't on the paper."

"Justin is my friend. I was doing him a favor."

"Tell your friend he cannot use you for the school paper; you need special access in order to perform interviews, and that is only given at the beginning of the year."

"I didn't know you were such a stickler for the rules."

"They are there for a reason," he said, grabbing my arm and pulling me in the direction of the main entrance.

"I don't remember you following the rules when we would see each other in the robotics office."

He actually blushed and then let go of my arm as if I burned him.

I shook my head, "How did you know what I was doing? Are you watching me? How did you get into the library?"

"Of course not," he said unconvincingly.

"Of course not? I don't know what to believe anymore with your family."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"It never ends with you people," I said, hurrying ahead of him.

He grabbed my arm again to stop me, "what do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm handling it."

"Lia, what are you talking about?"

"Ask your grandmother."

"Why can't you just tell me?" He said, grabbing my waist.

I turned on my heel to look at him, startled by how close he was standing.

"How did you I was there? How did you know to come?"

"I was listening."

"To me?"

"No. Ted"

"Why?"

"Lia, go home."

"How can you expect me to be transparent with you when everything you say is in pieces."

"Because this is my family, my business."

"It's mine too."

He shook his head, "No. I took you out of it."

"You might have. They didn't."

His jaw clenched.

"I'll handle it. Please stay away. You do not know what you're dealing with.

"Do you?"

"Not entirely. But I don't have a choice."

My phone buzzed. He reached into the pocket of my skirt and fished it out.

"Your friend is calling you," he said, looking at my phone screen. "You should answer him."

"I'll talk to him later."

"No. We're done. Please, stay away."

I frowned. He looked at me with that unreadable expression his eyes would get.

"Is it Ted?" I asked, ignoring him. "Is it because he needs money to get his family back?"

My eyes widened as his hand covered my mouth.

"Are you crazy?" He whispered, his face so close to mine I could see the specks of gold in his eyes.

"Let me help you," I said when he took his handoff.

He pressed his forehead to mine. His eyes closed.

"Get. Out." He said, pushing me back. "Ana! Please escort Cecilia out and call her a cab."

A maid I hadn't seen came out instantly and grabbed my hand.

——

Justin and I spent the ride back in silence for a different reasons. He was listening to the audiotapes of his interview and making notes. I was looking out the cab's window feeling a hurricane of emotions over what happened in the last 30 minutes.

I asked Justin to tell the cab driver to drop me off in front of Noah's.

"Are you sure? Free ride all the way to the Bronx."

"I'm sure."

I didn't have access to the private elevator, so I had to take the main one. All 82 flights up. By the 72nd floor, I had enough of the constant stops. I excused myself out of the less crowded but still full elevator, and I ran up the stairs while dialing Noah's number.

"What's up?"

"I blew it. Well, kind of."

"Why are you so out of breath? Come over; we'll talk."

"Open your door," I panted.

He opened up less than a minute later and found me leaning against the wall.

"You look like you ran a marathon."

"I just sprinted up 10 flights of stairs."

"Why?"

I pushed him out of the way. Desperate for the cold AC.

"I blew it, BUT I did manage to grab this I said, opening my backpack to show the journals I managed to snatch before Robbie interrupted me."

"Why did you blow it? What happened."

"Robbie!" I said, frowning.

"I thought he was on a trip."

"Well, he came back."

"He didn't let you interview his uncle?"

"I did; I got him alone."

"You got him alone? Where the hell was Justin?"

"Interviewing Maria," I said, waving my hand, "then Ted started getting a bit aggressive. He practically dragged me out of the house."

"Ted dragged you out of the house?"

"No. Robbie."

"Well, if Ted was being an ass."

"Really, Noah? All of the times you could have sided with Robbie you chose now?"

"I don't like Ted; he creeps me out. If Ronny stopped him from putting you in an uncomfortable situation."

"Why does he freak you out that much?"

"Well, he had a shotgun at the barn, and it was so soon after we broke into the house. You don't think he was the guy that chased us?"

"No. I know Ted. He has that chain smoker voice; I would recognize it. Also, Ted was with Robbie in Brazil that week."

"I just don't think the Bennetts and shotguns are a good mix. Here," he said, handing me a glass of water.

I polished the glass instantly and wiped my upper lip with the back of my hand, "I will say this when I started questioning about Robbie's father, he got very defensive. Started asking me if I was accusing him of something."

"So you didn't get to finish the interview."

"No."

"Was Justin upset? I've heard him yell at his newspaper staff."

"He asked me to hang out next weekend. There's some luncheon for the club."

"And you're going?"

"Yeah, I feel bad if I don't. Like if I used him."

"Well, you kind of did. He's a politician; he'd understand," Noah said dismissively.

"Did you find anything out with the cellphone?"

"I gave it to the P.I's tech. The guy said he'd call me about it in three to four business days."

I nodded.

"Shall we continue?" I asked.

"After you," he said, nodding towards his room.