Chapter 99

After breakfast, we wander the gardens in the sunshine, enjoying the quiet before the rush of people getting up. Most of the Carrero family apparently eat in bed on weekends and stay out of sight until the afternoon. They all work and have demanding careers, so they use this time when they are all together to be lazy and relax. This big house and its grounds are all but deserted. Only the staff are running around doing whatever they are paid to do.

Jefferson arrives a little after twelve with a black folder for Jake and several brown envelopes, taking his leave immediately to go wherever it is he goes when Jake does not require him. I guess it’s to go back to New York.

Pulling me with him through the wide patio doors into the kitchen, Jake opens the mail and smiles at me as he fumbles through papers.

“Here.” He holds out a gold card to me without looking up. I automatically take it and notice my name on the front. It’s a credit card.

“What’s this for?” I glan