Last Car to Annwn Station Read Online Free PDF Page B

stepped into the cold night air.
    She found herself facing a Victorian-style mansion. Mae realized this was probably an actual Victorian, not one of the replicas that had been cropping up along the lake, built by the new rich. This structure had likely stood on this spot for the last one hundred forty-odd years.
    Mae walked up the driveway, past the elaborate grounds, the snow-covered topiary, the marble statuary. The fountain at the top of the circular driveway was turned off and drained, likely in preparation for the harsh Minnesota winter. Lights shone brightly and Mae took note of the small fleet of luxury cars parked along the drive. She recognized a couple of the vehicles by their vanity plates.
    Mae noted the address again as she approached. She gave the huge mansion a sour look. Well, she was here, no sense in not ringing the bell.
    The solid-looking front door was answered by a stern, gray-haired woman in a black skirt that reached her ankles and a white blouse that was pressed to razor sharpness.
    “Yes?” the woman asked. “May I help you?”
    “My name is Mae Malveaux. I’m with Child Protective Services. I wondered if I might have a word with Marie Arneson.”
    The woman frowned, looking Mae up and down. “May I tell her what this matter is about?”
    Mae smiled, hopefully in a winning way. She realized how rumpled she must look. “It’s just a small matter that I need to take care of before I can sign off on her case.” Mae was lying through her teeth.
    The woman stepped aside to allow Mae entry. “If you would follow me, Miss Malveaux.”
    Mae was led to a sitting room and left alone. She stood, looking at the elaborate decorations and antique furniture. She suspected the contents of this room alone were worth more than an entire year of her salary. She gave herself a quick check in the mirror hanging on the wall, straightening her blouse and smoothing wrinkles from her slacks. She tried to make her limp hair do something besides look stringy and unwashed. It was a failing effort.
    The sound of a door opening made Mae turn. She found herself facing Marie Arneson’s father, James, and the family attorney, William Hodgins. Both men looked remarkably fresh for late evening, dressed in pressed suits with coordinating ties. Neither seemed to have an end-of-day shadow on their faces, and each man’s gray hair was styled and in place as if they had just risen from a barber’s chair. It was Hodgins who spoke.
    “Miss Malveaux, to what do we owe the pleasure?”
    Mae smiled at both men and addressed James Arneson. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Arneson, but there was one small matter I needed to attend to before I could sign off on your granddaughter’s case file.”
    Hodgins stepped back into the conversation. “I’m sure you’re aware this—unfortunate—situation has been resolved to the satisfaction of the county attorney’s office?”
    “Yes, Mr. Hodgins, I understand that, at some point, a deal was reached. However, I cannot close the file until I’ve done my exit interview.”
    “I didn’t know there was a need for an exit interview,” Hodgins said, suspicion in his eyes.
    Mae shrugged. She was way off the deep end and knew she was in for it tomorrow at work, but she had come this far. “It’s a simple formality. A few questions, then I can complete my paperwork and we can put this—as you called it—unfortunate incident behind us.”
    “My daughter is at a meeting of her support group,” Mr. Arneson said.
    Mae nodded in understanding. “I see. Perhaps I could speak with Chrysandra?” She looked at Hodgins. “Under your supervision, of course. That should be enough for me to complete my report.” She turned back to James Arneson. “A couple of questions, then I’ll trouble your family no more.” At least, Mae thought, until I can figure out what’s really going on here.
    The two men looked at each other for several moments. Mae felt a little shiver go down her back. The