"Tonight's the night," he whispered into the receiver of the gilded phone in the grand library, his small dark eyes peeled on the open doorway.
"That's just great, Tony," cooed Angela at the other end of the line.
And it would be because this job would make them both very rich. Usually, they worked together each step of the way, but Mrs. Hodge had met Angela several times and they couldn't take the chance that she might be recognized.
"Listen, Angela, bring the car and wait for me outside the wrought iron gate behind that stand of oak of trees near the entrance. You can't get too close to the house or you'll set off the alarm system."
"Are you sure we shouldn't give the old girl a bit more time? What if she changes her mind? There's so much at stake."
"I know," he said, "but I'm sure she's ripe. I've been watching her closely for a week now and I wouldn't say so otherwise. By the way, has that man still been following you? Have you seen him again?"
"No," she whispered. "I haven't seen him, but I feel him. He's around. I know he is."
"We have to watch ourselves. He -"
At the sound of footsteps and rustling fabric he hung up abruptly, resuming his seat in the Queen Anne armchair barely a second before Mrs. Clarissa Smythe Hodge, heiress and goddess apparent, made her perfumed grand entrance.
"Albertina will bring us some tea and scones, shortly, Reverend Green," she said, closing the paneled doors behind her and placing a large black attaché case on the floor by her chair. He said nothing, but his heart pounded at the thought that the cash was finally almost within his grasp.
"I'll feel better after a snack. How about you?"
Reverend Green pasted his best smile on his face.
"Of course, Mrs. Hodge. Whatever you say."
She sat down in the chair opposite him, her every movement a spectacle of wealth and privilege. The diamond brooch on her ample bosom gleamed like the rays from a dazzling sun.
"I do so much appreciate you helping me through this most difficult time. I don't know what I would have done without you and The League of The Heavenly Altar."
"Now, now that's why I'm here. You do understand, Mrs. Hodge, that I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable about, don't you?"
"Yes, yes of course," she said, with an imperious wave of a well-manicured hand encrusted with sapphires and rubies. "But I have lived enough with my pain. I'm ready to join Serena. All of my affairs are in order. I do need to speak with her one more time, however, before…"
She bit at her upper lip with a sudden ferocity.
"Why don't we do it right after our snack?" asked Anthony softly. "Will that make you happy?"
