The Exiles by Allison Lynn

Author:Allison Lynn [Lynn, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9780544102101
Publisher: Harcourt
Published: 2013-07-01T07:00:00+00:00

The limestone Elms was hulking, square and symmetrical and staunch, its bulk splayed heavily on the land. Laminated signs (PARKING THIS WAY and WELCOME TO A PRESERVATION SOCIETY SITE) were impaled in the wet dirt beside the pathway to the front entrance.

“Thanks,” Emily said to Winnie and Eric. The walk had taken no time.

“Don’t thank us. It’s our duty to accompany a newcomer,” said Winnie, who’d been talking nonstop since the walk began. “Eric has an in at all the tourist destinations. He’s a VIP.”

“I don’t have an in,” Eric said. “You make it sound like I’m on the take.”

Inside the mansion’s foyer, a woman sat at a desk with a small cashbox and a stack of brochures.

“Hello, Sergeant,” she groaned to Eric. Emily turned to face the woman, whose skin sagged on her face, her cheeks weighted down by leaden makeup. “Nice to see you, again.”

“Back at you, Margaret,” Eric said. “A pleasure.”

“A sergeant?” Emily said. “I had no idea you were a sergeant.” Emily could never remember the hierarchy of rank. Was sergeant higher than lieutenant? The only thing she knew for sure was that the captain was in charge. At least Eric wasn’t the captain. Emily thrilled, her blood pulsing at her temples, to be standing so close to an actual police sergeant. She’d never been one of those people who believed it was smart to keep your enemies closer.

“I’ve been a practicing policeman for some time,” Eric blushed.

“Oh, give it up, everyone’s a sergeant,” Winnie said. When Eric started to argue, she amended her comment. “Practically everyone. Everyone who sticks around long enough.”

According to the placard next to the ticket seller, the guided tour cost fifteen dollars. Emily took out her money and approached the table.

“Lady, don’t be ridiculous. You don’t need a ticket,” the ticket seller, Margaret, said. “It’s on the house.” And then, her tone flat and dour, a defeated sing-song, “Any friend of the law is a friend of the Elms. We’d like to treat you to a tour, on the house.”

“Thank you, Margaret,” Eric said. “Again.”

“I’m happy to pay,” Emily turned to face Eric. She had the crumpled eighteen dollars in her outstretched hand. “It’s really nice of you to come along, to walk me up here, but I can afford my own ticket.” It was nearly all she could afford, but she had the money. “I’d prefer to pay, to tell you the truth. I’d like to pay.” She held the money out farther away from her body, as if waiting for someone to snatch it. “I’d like to support the mansion,” she said. She wanted to be rid of her surreptitious cash. The minute it left her possession, she wouldn’t be holding it back from Nate anymore. She’d no longer be hiding anything from him. Well, anything except a Rufino.

“You could use a treat, after what happened to you Friday. Don’t worry about it.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry about it,” Eric said firmly. “Take the free ticket. Take it.”

“Take it,” Winnie said, and then, just before walking out the door with Eric, “let the sergeant abuse his power.

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