The Blue Divide

Chapter 8

A storm was coming.

Lainey frowned at the enormous thunderheads overshadowing Porthaven as she walked her bike up the hill. She didn't need to be a meteorologist to know it was going to be a nasty one. Salty wind was already whipping her long hair into tangles, and the air sizzled.

She hoped her grandfather was home already. The thought of his ship getting caught out there made her sick.

She reached a large black gate and pushed the button on the call box. "Elaine Richards, here to see Mr. Ardent." She stood by as it opened automatically, granting her access.

"Come right up Elaine," the box crackled, and she obeyed.

She got back on her bike and rode up the long hedge-lined driveway toward Allen Leventis's mansion. The house looked like something from a gothic novel. It stood overlooking the ocean like a gargoyle on a rooftop. A strange sight in Maine.

Few in town had ever passed through the gate, which by default made it the source of endless rumors. Perhaps she could finally bring back some truth.

She leaned her bike against the steps and walked up to the door. She paused a moment to comb her fingers through her windblown hair and button up her sweater, and then rang the bell. She was about to ring again when the door swung open, revealing Douglas Ardent, Mr. Leventis's personal assistant. He was just as appealing looking as when he had interviewed her at the Harbor Coffee Shop last Thursday. Despite his gingery hair and dark rimmed glasses, he was photogenic enough to be a superhero in disguise.

"Come on in," he said, giving her a smile so white it couldn't be natural. "Can I take your sweater?" Although only a handful years older than her, he had a professional air that made him seem much older.

"That's ok," she said. It felt colder inside than out.

"Do you have a camera or cell phone?" His look was apologetic. "I'm afraid I can't allow anything like that inside."

"No," she said. She couldn't afford either.

He nodded and led the way. Lainey glimpsed a crystal chandelier overhanging a wide entry hall framed with Grecian statues. It was odd that one man could live in such a large space.

"As we discussed in the interview, you can plan on coming every other day when you're finished with school, unless I tell you otherwise. Each day you should focus on cleaning a different area of the house. Mr. Leventis is a very private man, so you have to promise me that you won't go blabbing about anything you hear or see that's a little strange."

She suddenly felt nervous. What was she going to find in here? "I promise."

"Then come with me."

What followed was a brief tour that revealed the main parts of the house. The kitchen, the dining room, the library, various sitting rooms, and bedrooms. Everything was beautiful but cluttered. Mr. Leventis had so many nick-knacks not even a mansion seemed big enough for them. Mr. Ardent explained that they were souvenirs from his boss's prolific travels. Greece was a common theme in the art decor and there was a big assortment of books on Greek mythology in the library.

Tiny red lights stared at her from the corner of every room. Cameras.

Mr. Ardent ended the tour by opening a door leading to a disorganized office. "This is Mr. Leventis's old office. You can start in here today. You remember where all the cleaning supplies are?"

She nodded. The janitorial closet had been part of the tour.

"Very good. Any further questions?"