Maeva woke up knowing the code. She was shocked she didn’t think about it before. Yesterday, when moving the ladder, she had seen a stick that she thought was meant to move the ladder from one end of the bookcase to the other. The stick had three small hooks placed at an equal distance. It seemed weird to her at the time, but she brushed it off. She had her coffee and played with Neve inside; it was rainy and foggy out there. Yvonne stayed a little longer at her place this morning. When Neve went for her nap, Maeva was ready. She went in the study. She powered on the internal network to check on Neve, took the stick, sat down behind the desk, put the stick through the handles of all the drawers on the left side, made sure to hook all the drawers’ handles (she wondered why the handles had that strange shape) and put her other hand on the bottom right drawer handle. She then closed her eyes wishfully. She pulled up with both arms and then pulled outwards with her right hand. The drawer slid out a little. She was elated to have found the combination but found herself in front of a stuck drawer. She could see it was metal inside, but the drawer wouldn’t budge anymore. She let everything go and sat back on the chair. The handles were the same on both sides for decorative purposes but… She took the stick out of the left drawers’ handles and slid it on the right side. As the bottom drawer was slightly opened, she wondered if the stick would still pass through. Figured she had to turn it in such a way the hooks were on the side. It worked! She turned the stick again to hook all drawers and, pulled up. She then found she couldn’t pull out the bottom drawer anymore, because of the stick. She carefully slid it out of that first drawer only, still holding the bottom drawer up. She then pulled hard. The drawer came out easily. She took out the stick and laid it on the old oak plank floor.

 

 

She could see only gray metal inside, as if a safe had been inserted it the drawer on its side. There was no space the fit her hand, or fingers. Her expression was priceless. Not again, she thought. She pulled the drawer all the way to the back. Only flat metal. She touched it as if trying to dust it, feeling it for some kind of indentation or switch. Smooth as a baby’s behind. She felt on the sides of the drawer and under it. Nothing. She kneeled down, tried to see as far as she could in the back. She thought she saw something. She inserted her hand as far as she could reach. She touched above and found some kind of what seemed to be a small bead sticking out. She pulled at it, tried to move it forward, backwards, sideways. Nothing, again. She then thought about pushing it in and almost did it. But what if it stayed in. What could she do then? Then she thought she would try to unscrew it first. If that didn’t work, she would try to push it in. She got her hand back in there, felt it again. It was really deep inside and difficult to get a hold of. She tried as much as she could to grab it but it, but she could not get her fingers to have a good hold on it. It was tiny and just deep enough inside that you could not get a good grab. Maeva got back up from her crouching position, sat down and took a deep breath. Neve was still sleeping and she had seen Yvonne enter the child’s room to check on her, so she knew Yvonne had arrived. She closed her eyes. She looked around her. Everything in this room was a reminder of Sky. She took the picture of herself with Neve in her arms that he always kept on this desk. It was the most beautiful, totally natural picture with Neve’s little face resting on her chest. She was looking up at Sky with the most loving eyes. She understood why she loved it so much. The frame was heavy oak with inlays of 24 ct gold. She turned it around to look at the gold inlay more closely. She saw his handwritten note on the back on the picture. ‘Remember the cane, my Love!’. She smiled. It was a reference to a funny situation when he had handed her a hard wood walking stick, he loved and used frequently when walking the domain ground. He had gone into a bush to look for a wounded bird and fell in it. They both laughed when he had finally gotten himself free of all the grabby little branches. She had dropped the stick while helping him up and they had gone their merry way forgetting about it, until he asked her for it. ‘Oh, I forgot the cane!’, she had said turning around quickly to go get it and, lost her balance when stepping in a depression in the ground. It was his turn to help her up and, after making sure no harm had come to her, he laughed saying ‘We’re growing old. Let’s remember the cane!’. So, every time they went out or walked somewhere, they would tell each other to remember the cane, instead of telling each other to be careful. It became an inside joke. She laughed when she read it this time also, putting the frame back in its place on the desk. Neve was making little noises. She was waking up. Maeva decided she would go to her and come back at a later time. She pushed her chair back, and it was stopped by something on the ground; the stick. Frowning, she picked it up, looked at it. ‘Remember the cane!’, she repeated, slowly realising what Sky was telling her, from wherever he was.  She held the stick in front of her. She turned it around and observed it closely. Everything about that stick was weird. It was intrinsically made. Beautiful workmanship was involved. The golden inlay was particularly beautiful. The hooks had served their purpose. Now, she concentrated on the handle. She found its design quite strange. There were a few golden rings around the wood, before the head of the stick; a concave gold plate with sharp edges. The wood was smooth, but when you passed the gold rings, she felt a slight edge. The rings were not inlayed. She tried to part the stick in two by pulling on each side of the rings. The stick stayed solid. Then, she thought about unscrewing the stick at the first ring near the head. It would not budge. She did it again on the second ring. It still wouldn’t turn. Discouraged and ready to give up, she tried unscrewing the last of the rings. It didn’t move. She felt like throwing the stick across the room and almost did, but she decided on a last try. It could be stuck. She tried to unscrew it again putting all her strength into her hands. She thought she felt it give a little, but it stopped. She mustered every inch of strength and went at it again. It was turning, slowly, it took constant force, but it unscrewed little by little.

When Maeva finally got it all unscrewed, she decided to go see Neve as they would be having lunch soon and she had planned to spend time with her daughter. After all, this could wait. She slid the wall door open and went to them, after locking it again. 

 

After lunch, neve went to the lounging are window and looked out.

 

“Baby, Mama! Nee see Baby?”, she was starting to infer to herself by her name. Maeva was really proud of her language development. Neve wanted to go see the lamb and the other animals. Maeva would be happy to oblige.

 

“OK, Nevie. Let’s get a warm sweater on and we will go see Baby, OK?”, Neve clapped her hands al excited.

 

 

Maeva didn’t get to finish what she had started in Sky’s study that day. The next day was the day she was to meet with the young wife of that famous actor they had gone to visit close by. The one that was mean and inhospitable. The one that probably drugged Sky somehow. It was definitively not a good idea to frequent those club members.The one that was also part of the famous social club. She was not eager to go, but some new development had occurred, and he was apparently in jail for fraud at the moment. It was the best time for her to meet with his wife. She had Yvonne call to be sure the meeting was still on. It was, so she made sure the driver would be ready to drive her. It was far when they lived near London, but now, they almost lived next to each other. She dressed casually for the meeting, jeans with anklet boots and a sky-blue oversized cashmere V-neck sweater. She wore her hair up in a messy bun and put on just a touch of make-up. Maeva debated whether she would bring Neve along, but reasoned that the subject she wanted to cover didn’t fit with children’s innocence.

 

The Costwold scenery she traveled to get there was just as beautiful as she remembered. It was just as incredible, if not more with all its fall colors. As the driver opened the door for her, she found herself walking on a carpet of fallen leaves that crushed under her feet. The maid opened the door as she put her foot on the last marble step.

 

“Welcome Mrs. Hawthorne. Miss Jenny is waiting for you in the tearoom. Follow me. Please.”, said the maid making Maeva pass in front of her. “Just straight down this hall.”.

 

“Thank you.”, said Maeva, who could now see Jenny, sitting with a cup of tea in her hands. Her face was all smiles as soon as she saw Maeva.

 

“Well, long time no see Mrs. Hawthorne.”, her face changed realising how she called her. “Are you still using that name? I’m so sorry if I…”, she stopped abruptly looking at Maeva.

 

“Don’t worry. Yes, I am Mrs. Hawthorne. Sky is not dead. But you know you should call me Maeva, right?”, said Maeva.

“He’s not? Oh my, what news. Where was he all this time?”, asked Jenny.

 

“Oh, no. No news. I only mean his death has never been confirmed. He is missing.”, said Maeva stammering.

 

“Oh, I keep putting my foot in my mouth.”, Jenny held the teapot up to a cup and asked Maeva if she wanted tea with her eyes.

 

“Yes, I would love some.”, she waited until the cup was filled and took the cup in her hands to warm them. It was chilly out there.

 

“I am sincerely sorry and downright upset about what is happening to you. You both looked so enthralled with each other. Sky could hardly keep his eyes off you. I remember thinking how envious I was that you had put your grasp on such a hunk of a man mans so kind and respectful.”, you were so lucky.

 

“Yes, Jenny, I am lucky. Now, I have his daughter to raise, and I see him in her everyday.”, Maeva said.

 

“You believe he is still with us, don’t you?”, asked Jenny, sadly.

 

“What else should I believe? He just disappeared. There was no trace of anything. No evidence of foul-play, or violence, or accident. Just nothing.”, Maeva felt more and more like if she was trying to convince herself.

 

“I’m so sorry, Honey. I can’t believe this. Last time we saw each other, we both had our husbands. Life changes so quickly.”, Jenny took another sip of tea. The maid brought some small cut up sandwiches.

 

“I’m sorry for you too. How long is he away for?”, Maeva asked, curious.

 

“Five years. He has done two. Another three to go, but he might could be eligible to parole. I doubt it. He had such a temper. His behavior the last two had not been exemplary.”, she looked at Maeva like when you share a secret with each other.

 

“Do you mean his behavior when we were last here?”, Maeva said. Jenny nodded.

 

“He was in a foul mood, wasn’t he? He could be like that when he was stressed out, but he never laid a hand on me or the kids. It was just miserable to be around him. In all honesty, this is giving me a long ass break. I welcome it and I relish in it. I’m almost entirely free.”, Jenny said arrogantly. Maeva could not believe her ears. That is exactly how she thought things were between this couple.

 

“What got you to marry him?”, asked Maeva taking a sip of her tea, wondering if it was drugged.

 

“Money.”, Jenny said, once again with her arrogant, proud of herself tone. Maeva laughed.

 

“I hope you are not being spied on here?”, Maeva hinted. She looked around the room and coutd see some cameras. The were still, no lights were open.

 

“Oh, I am fully watched, every room has one or two. But something happened when he left for jail. The police took the whole console during a search and, I never bothered to replace it. Why would I? Right?”, jenny laughed, proud of herself.

 

“There could others, you know? Smaller ones. Hidden. Or bugs, under the tables, chairs, anywhere.”, Maeva warned her.

 

“I had someone scan the entire house. We did find some bugs, and spy cameras. He is a possessive and suspicious jerk. I never cheated on him. I’m into women. Not men.”, she said candidly.

 

“OK. I understand. I hope you are not letting me know you’re available. I am fully on the hetero end of the spectrum.”, Maeva joked.

 

“I like them young. But you have a certain something that emanates sensuality. Maybe your pheromones? I can’t put my finger on it. You are a beautiful woman. I completely understood why Sky chose you to marry. You know, I knew most of his girlfriends. We met socially about every year or so. Every time, he had a different girl with him. I was confused at the beginning when I saw you, because I thought he was into young, very young. At the beginning, I thought you were a beard, a cover.”, Jenny saw Maeva’s confused face. “A beard in the Hollywood world, is a woman, or man, or contract with an actor to cover other less savoury activities, tastes or sexual deviancy.”, explained Jenny.

 

“Oh.”, Maeva felt like she had been punched in the stomach. “Why would you think that?”

 

“Well, it is frequently done. Sky had a taste for younger girls and boys, I thought. And he was part of this social club that hides sexual deviancies of all sorts. He had just been the victim of rumors implicating him and an underage co-star who was head over heels in love with him. The rumors also said he got the girl pregnant. Supposedly, she got an abortion and quickly married her young and famous boyfriend. Soon after, she ‘adopted’ a baby.  You what I suspect?”, asked Jenny. Maeva’s heart was beating fast. She couldn’t speak. “I think she had the baby in all secrecy and passed it on as she adopted him. Anytime, you see that couple with their baby, she is the one in charge of the baby. He never takes care of him or holds him. There must be an arrangement between those two also.”, Jenney looked at Maeva. “I’m sorry. You know they are rumors, right? I did say that, right?”

 

“Yes, you did. It is just a very chocking thought… Imagine if it was true? My world would be turned upside down.”, she said calmly.

 

“I’m so, so, sorry. I don’t know how I keep being so unthoughtful. Gossiping is a big thing in Hollywood and I am a nepo baby born in Hollywood. We are a completely different species. We lack empathy and use everyday gossiping in our everyday conversation. That is no excuse, I know.”, she could see Maeva was disturbed by the rumor.

 

“I had heard this before. I heard a lot of different rumors about Sky. Now that he is not around to defend himself, I find it harder to bear. With me, in our years together, he was nothing but loyal, morally and socially knowledgeable, kind, empathic, respectful, romantic, loving and so much more. Maybe too perfect? He was, as all actors are I believe, centered on his career and loved being idolized. I knew that and accepted him as he was.”, Maeva didn’t want to mention the autistic traits. It was not for her to divulgue such personal ailments.

 

“All actors are egocentric. It is a professional deformity.”, said Jenny. “I accepted my husband just the way he was too. Not for the same reason. I wanted into his world, I need it to live. I guess I am also self-centered.”, Jenny smiled sadly.

 

“You talked about the ‘club’. What is that?”, asked Maeva, hoping she would get some answers.

 

“Oh, my goodness. The Club. The High Chivalry Club.”, she said putting her hand on her forehand as if thinking about it gave her a migraine.

 

“Really. High Chivalry?”, said Maeva glad she finally knew the name.

 

“Yes. Believe me, they are everything but, chilvalresque. Apart from his career, this was my husband’s entire world. Even more important than his own children.”, Jenny said exasperated.

 

“Do you know what the club is about? I really intrigued.”, Maeva was trying to obtain the most information she could. Jenny seemed willing to talk.

 

“I can only say what I know, which is not much. He always kept that part secret, except when he used me. I was drugged then. Didn’t I tell you about this? Anyway. I have no recollection of what happened to me. I did wake up sore in my privates. I also was bruised all over. Nothing to my face or anywhere that could not be covered by clothes. I imagine Sky had the same experience. Did he complain about pain, down there?”, she pointed to the privates and glutes area. “His face was fine. That is a rule. No face hitting. I know that the acts can differ according to the members present at their sessions. You know that there’s a room here reserved for their meetings. A huge room. It is locked. I tried to find ways to enter, but no can do. There are no windows. Well, none that can be seen by the outside. I was never told, but I believe this is the main Britain meeting place apart from their downtown London building. You know that they have rooms for their members that can go and stay there anytime? Did you ever see the guest house at the end of our property? Probably not. It has 6 rooms and the kitchen is fully stocked all year round. Our maids go there everyday to clean up and change sheets. The maids can’t talk and I never ever know who is staying there at any time. Once in a while the individual is a close friend and he is invited to the house to eat with us. I guess I know of these few members. I won’t name them. Sky was one of them in the past. Maybe, five years ago. He stayed a few days. The Club had a huge meeting. Apart from the comings and goings in the back garden, I was not aware of anything specific. I didn’t see anyone, I only hear if we are at the pool or outside under the awning.”, Jenny took another sip from, now her cold tea.

 

“So, that club’s main goal is to be a venue where their members are free to practice sexually deviant acts? Is that it, you think?”, asked Maeva.

 

“I guess so. I haven’t seen anything, nor was I told anything but, why all the secrecy? Why the need to drug people? Don’t go around repeating this! Don’t say anything to anyone if you don’t want trouble. I don’t want any either. Just keep it for yourself. Who knows, maybe the club had something to do with Sky’s disappearance. I suspected that as soon as I heard about his demise. It’s the only reason I am telling you all this.”, Jenny seemed sincerely sad.

 

“Sky was totally himself, didn’t seem to be in any pain, and didn’t have any bruises after the drugging event here. I saw his body that night in the shower.”, Maeva didn’t think anything bad happened to him.

 

“Oh, Honey. He is an actor, no? Is he hairy? Yes, hey? You might not have seen them if they were still red. The hot water…”, Jenny added.

 

Maeva was pensive after her conversation with Jenny. She didn’t have any proof he was a club member. Still, what Jenny recalled, if it was true, meant he was at that time. The driver was waiting for her. She was not able to benefit from the beautiful scenery as they rode home. She was too disturbed. She needed to look into Sky’s safe. Maybe there was something there.