Yvonne stood silently outside the door, listening, until she heard George getting up to leave. She quickly slipped into her own room.


    Later that night, as Yvonne soaked in herrge jacuzzi, the conversation between George and Queena reyed in her mind.


    So, Queena was George''s daughter. A cold, mocking smile touched Yvonne''s lips. The Spencer family was even more twisted than she had thought.


    Her phone, resting on the vanity, began to vibrate, pulling her from her thoughts. Her hand, still wet, reached for it. A drop of waternded perfectly on the green answer button, connecting the call.


    "Yvonne, dear, it''s been so long since you''vee to visit. Did that foolish boy Matthew upset you again?" Mrs. Gonzalez''s warm, kind voice came through the speaker.


    In Yvonne''s memories, Mrs. Gonzalez was the only elder who had ever been truly good to her, loving her like her own daughter. Part of Yvonne''s unwavering devotion to Matthew had been for his mother''s sake. In police officer Yvonne''s memory, Mrs. Gonzalez was a remarkably sensible and clear-headed woman. When Yvonne had gone undercover to get close to Colin, everyone else had treated her like Colin''s mistress. But Mrs. Gonzalez, his wife, had never once humiliated or harassed her. She had even warned Yvonne that Colin was not a good man. Later, she had testified against him in court.


    "Mrs. Gonzalez," Yvonne said, her tone respectful despite the unfamiliarity of the name on her lips. "School just started, so I''ve been a bit busy. I''lle and visit you soon."


    "I know you young people have your studies and careers. I won''t hold you back. But next week is my birthday party, and you simply must be there, Vonnie." Mrs. Gonzalez''s voice was full of warmth.


    A personal invitation from Mrs. Gonzalez was impossible to refuse. "Of course, Mrs. Gonzalez. I''ll be there on time."


    "Wonderful. I''ll have Matthew pick you up."


    Before Yvonne could object, the call ended.


    She ced the phone back on the vanity and, wrapping herself in arge towel, stepped out of the bathroom.


    The next day was Saturday, and Yvonne slept in again, waking up around ten in the morning.


    Vl


    The rest of the Spencers were out, leaving only Joseph in the living room, ying with his toys by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The moment he saw Yvonne, he bolted like a mouse seeing a cat. But his short legs were no match for her She grabbed him by the cor and dragged him into her room.


    "Hey, kid, didn''t tell you there would be serious consequences for


    tattling?" Yvonne said holding him


    with one hand while picking up the feather duster with the other. A few sharp smacksnded on Joseph''s already bruised behind.


    The fresh pain on top of the old made him howl. "I''m sorry, sister! I''m


    sorry! never do it again he


    sobbed, tears and snot running down his face.


    "If you ever tattle again, I''ll rearrange your face so that everyone calls you a monster,” she threatened. Finally satisfied, she dropped the duster.


    Joseph nodded vigorously, his face a mess.


    "You''re disgusting. Go wash your face," Yvonne said with a look of contempt.


    He scurried off to his room. When a maid, having heard his cries, came to ask what was wrong, Joseph only said that he had identally fallen.