Rachel stared at her, wondering if she'd misunderstood.
"Come on, don't act all surprised," Jean smiled. " I'm sure she's been nasty to you. My sister is a righteous snob who thinks she's better than everyone else. Work with me and get back at her for all she must have done to you."
"You're wrong. We are friends."
"Really?" Jean sneered.
"Yes." Rachel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Jean sent by Mabel to test her loyalty? From what she knew of their relationship she doubted it. She remembered what Mabel had told her.
She's toxic and troublesome. She'll do anything to cause me problems.
"Mabel doesn't get along with anyone," Jean said coldly.
"Well, we do. Mabel treats me well. Besides, I don't see how I'm supposed to help you."
"By telling me what secret Mabel is so anxious to have you keep."
Rachel flinched. "I don't know what you are talking about," she stammered.
Jean smiled evilly. "I heard you guys. You made a deal with Mabel. You'll keep her secret in exchange for what? She treats you well, right? That must be it. And it must be pretty big for her to even try to be nice to a nobody like you. So I want to know what the big secret is."
"You must have misunderstood us, there isn't any secret."
"Be sensible Gina," Jean urged. "It's only a matter of time before Mabel convinces Kingsley to get rid of you. You need to beat her at her game. Join me."
Rachel stood up. "There is nothing to tell. Look Jean, I don't know what's going on between you and your sister, and I don't care. It's none of my business, and I won't be part of it. I'll pretend we never had this conversation."
She walked away, leaving Jean staring viciously at her.
She went to her bedroom and began pacing, feeling as if she were losing her mind.
What on earth is going on? First Richie, now Jean. Why is everyone out to get Mabel Mitchell?
Her phone rang. It was Calisa.
"Hey Gina-"
"Calisa, are you free? I need to talk."
"What's wrong?" The urgency in Rachel's voice frightened her.
"Can you meet me at the park please?"
"Sure, I can sneak away for a while. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
Without bothering to change, she rushed downstairs, got into her car, and drove to the park.
She found Calisa waiting for her, sitting on a park bench throwing bits of bread at the surrounding birds.
"What's wrong? You sounded distressed." Calisa asked anxiously as Rachel sat beside her.
"I feel like I'm losing my mind!" Rachel exploded. "I can't take all this stress and intrigue anymore! Can't my life just be normal?"
"Calm down Gina. Take a deep breath, breath in and out."
Rachel obeyed, taking multiple deep breaths.
"Good. Now tell me what's wrong."
"I don't know where to start."
"At the beginning. Is it to do with the Mitchells?"
She sighed. "It's Mabel's sister. She has come to stay for a few days."
"Is she giving you any trouble? What is Kingsley doing about it? He can't just sit there whil—"
"No, she's been nice to me until this afternoon when she asked me to help her destroy Mabel."
Calisa gaped.
"That was my expression too," Rachel continued.
"But why? Why would she ask that? Was it some kind of test?"
"I thought so too, but it wasn't. She was serious."
"But why?"
"They're half sisters. They don't get along. Mabel did warn me that she was evil."
"Why would she ask you such a thing?"
"I don't know," Rachel said helplessly. "I just want to have a peaceful, happy marriage. Is that too much to ask?"
Calisa felt sorry for her. When Richie had first asked her to befriend Rachel she'd been annoyed, but had agreed because her refusal would anger him. Until now, all the friendliness she'd shown her had been false, but now seeing her distress she felt genuine concern for her. She'd come to realize Rachel was a caring and gentle soul and certainly didn't deserve all this stress.
"Tell her to go to hell. If she wants to ruin her sister, she can go ahead. Have you told Mabel?"
Rachel shook her head.
"Good. Threaten to tell Mabel if she bothers you again. If she's staying only a few days she'll be gone before she becomes a real pest."
"Yeah. I know you are right," She hugged her. "Thanks Calisa, talking to you makes everything so much better."
"Anytime. So no word from the blackmailer?"
She saw Rachel tense.
"No, no word." Rachel lied.
"Are you sure? If there is, you can tell me, I'll do all I can to help. You know that."
"I know, but I'm good. I've worried you enough." She hugged her again and stood up. "I better get going."
"Take care, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
"Will do."
Rachel left and Calisa sat back down. She knew she should be headed back to work, but she was worried about Rachel. After a brief hesitation, she dialed Richie's number.
"What's up?" He asked, sounding as if he'd been woken from sleep.
"It's about Gina, she was just here. I'm worried about her."
"Why, what happened?" He was instantly alert.
She relayed their conversation.
"Did Gina agree to go along with it?" He asked.
"No, I advised her to tell the lady to go to hell."
"Ok I'll look into it. What else?"
"Nothing. She didn't mention your assignment, whatever it was. I think you should leave her alone. She can't take all this stress."
"Mind your business and keep me informed."
He hung up. Calisa cursed then headed back to work.
Richie sat thinking hard.
Why would Mabel's sister want to make trouble for her?
Whatever the reason, could she be my ally? Another insider to assist in this mission?
He was still thinking when his phone rang. It was one of his friends in Silvertown.
"Hey man, what's up?" He asked.
"Plenty. A guy is heard asking questions about your girl, Ray."
Richie sat up. " Who is he? What's he asking?"
"He was asking about her, where she lived and what she'd been doing. Looks like a PI. He's from Newtown, not sure who he works for, but I sent one of the girls to chat him up. She was able to get his phone when he was knocked out. There were a lot of numbers in his log, she got a few. I'll send them over. It might be of use to you."
"Thanks pal, send your account number over too, this needs rewarding. Keep me posted."
"Will do."
The numbers were sent and, using caller ID, Richie was able to match a name to every number. None of the names were familiar except one. Franca Mills. Where had he heard that name before?
Kingsley's ex! The one who'd been making Rachel's life miserable, so she has hired a PI to investigate?
Something had to be done about her soon.
In the meantime, his friends on the ground would make sure her PI got no information. For now, he needed to take a look at his potential ally, Jean. He'd have to spy on the house again. He'd need a car. He dialed Calisa.
After Rachel had left Calisa, she'd driven around town, gone window shopping, and had lunch, all in an attempt to delay going home to the tension and intrigue that awaited her. The only time she felt any pleasure in the house was if Kingsley were around. Richie had been calling Rachel all afternoon, but she'd refused to take his calls, till he sent her a message threatening to come to the mansion to see her. She'd finally called him back.
"Why haven't you been picking your calls?" He demanded.
"I haven't been with my phone," she lied.
"Have you planted it?"
"Not yet,"
"Why?"
"It would take a couple of days. I don't want to get caught."
"You don't have a couple of days! You do it tonight, or I'm coming over there," he threatened.
"I'll do it," she said sullenly.
She hung up and looked at the time. Almost 5:00 p.m. Kingsley would be home soon. She headed home. Lucy's car was in the garage.
How do I get it open and the package inside?
She thought and thought, then remembered Lucy kept the car key in her handbag in her bedroom. She entered the house. Jean and Lucy were in the living room watching TV. Mabel was preparing dinner. They were watching a soap opera. It was Lucy's favorite. Rachel knew it would keep her there for a while. She went upstairs and entered Lucy's bedroom. Her handbag was on the dressing table. Trembling, she rummaged through it and retrieved the key. Then they headed for the garage. She took out the packages and opened the car, hiding one under the passenger seat behind the driver. Then she tucked the second one into her jeans, covering it with her shirt. She locked the car and entered the house. She met Lucy about to climb the stairs.
" Why are you slithering about?" Lucy asked contemptuously.
Rachel was too shaken to say anything or be offended.
"Lucy honey," Mabel called from the kitchen. "Please be a dear, and go buy some wine for dinner, we're all out. Take your car to make it faster."
"I'll go." Rachel offered quickly.
"No one asked you for two goody shoes!" Lucy snapped. "OK mom, let me get my keys."
Rachel watched helplessly as Lucy mounted the stairs. She had reached the top when Mabel called out again.
"Lucy, don't worry, I've found an extra bottle!"
"OK mom, I'll just take a quick shower before dinner."
Trembling, Rachel went to her bedroom. She removed the package, now soaked with her sweat, and put it under the bed, then lay down feeling very sick. She was still there when Kingsley came in.
"Babe, are you okay?" He asked, concerned. "You look sick."
"Not feeling very well."
"Let's get you to a doctor."
"No, I'll be okay. All I need is rest. You go ahead and have dinner. I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
She nodded. He kissed her and went downstairs. She waited to hear cutlery being used, before getting up and entering Lucy's bedroom. She put the key back in her handbag then hid the second package under the bed before returning to her room. She called Richie and told him what she'd done.
"Under the seat behind the driver, and under her bed, right?" Richie asked, repeating what she'd told him.
"Yes," she said miserably.
"Well done Ray. Good work."
She hung up and crawled into bed. She was fast asleep when Kingsley came in.
The next day was routine. Everyone went about their day as usual. Rachel didn't want to be home alone with Jean, so after breakfast, she went shopping. She made up her mind to ask Kingsley to find her a job. She was tired of being home all day with nothing to do.
Lucy had class at 9:00 a.m. so she drove Mabel to the bakery before heading for college. By the time she was through for the day, it was nearly 2:00 pm, and she was hungry. She would go home for lunch. Hopefully that snake wouldn't be the one to prepare it, she thought.
She was unlocking her car door when one of her classmates, Tommy, approached her.
"Hey Lucy, mind giving me a lift to Greenpark?" He asked.
"Sure. I didn't know you lived in Greenpark."
"My mom does. On my way to see her."
She unlocked the door and went in.
"Mind if I sit at the back? I just had surgery, a bike accident, and need to stretch my knee."
"Sure, no problem. Sorry about that,"
"You're a pal."
They made small talk as they drove along.
Unknown to her, Tommy worked for narcotics, and had been undercover for two years, investigating illicit dealings at the college. He put his hand under the seat and felt the package. It was where the anonymous caller, who'd given them the tip, said it would be. He texted a message to his colleagues ahead.
Awhile later, the police pulled Lucy over.
Rachel came home to a very worried Mabel.
"I'm sure she's OK." Jean was saying.
"What's wrong?" Rachel asked.
"Lucy missed lunch, she's not answering her calls. It's not like her. If she was not coming she would tell me."
The doorbell rang and Mabel went to open it. Two men stood in the doorway.
" Mrs. Mitchell?" One asked.
"Yes?"
"I'm Detective Tanner. This is Detective Marks. We have permission to search your house."
"Why? What for? Is it about Lucy? Is she okay?" Mabel asked hysterically.
"Yes. But we need to do the search."
"Is she hurt?" Mabel asked anxiously.
"No, ma'am, she's fine." Marks told her. "She gave us permission to search her room."
"Why? Where is she? What's going on?"
Jean and Rachel had come into the hall and stood behind Mabel, listening to the conversation. Her eyes widened, Rachel's face paled. She had a sense of impending doom. The detectives came in.
"At the station. Where is her bedroom, ma'am?" Tanner asked.
Mabel led them upstairs. "Can't you tell me what this is about?"
"What are you looking for?" Jean asked, as they all headed upstairs.
They got no reply. The women waited at the door while the detectives entered Lucy's room and
began searching.
"What is that?" Mabel demanded as they took out the package from under the bed.
Rachel felt her heart sink to her feet. It took an effort for her to remain standing.
"What is that? Mabel repeated.
Marks opened it. "It's a substance, Mrs. Mitchell."