Among the Barons

CHAPTER 26

Luke took a shower and got dressed. For some reason he couldn’t have explained, even to himself, he transferred the fake I.D.’s for Oscar and Smits from his pajamas into the pants he’d put on. Maybe he just liked having a few secrets of his own. Or — how did he know that his room wasn’t going to be searched while he was away?

Being at the Grants’ house was making him totally paranoid.

Except — was it still paranoia if all his fears were justified?

On the way down to breakfast Luke passed Oscar on the stairs. Luke half expected him to stop Luke and ask quietly, “So what’s your answer now?”

But Oscar only flickered his gaze briefly in Luke’s direction. Otherwise, he acted as if Luke didn’t exist.

He took my “I don’t know” as a no, Luke thought And the chance to join his cause was a onetime offei Luke’s heart sank He wanted to grab the hulking man and beg for a second chance. But how could he? He still didn’t want to hurt Smits.

“What’s going to happen now?” Luke asked weakly He meant, ~Are you going to kill Smits or just hide him away somewhere? Or are the Grants going to kill me?”

Oscar didn’t answer, just brushed on by.

Luke stood still, practically trembling. Breakfast, he told himself. I’ll feel better after breakfast. He forced himself to continue down the stairs.

But after a huge meal that he barely tasted, he could think of nothing to do except wander aimlessly around the house. In the living room — actually, one of several rooms that Luke would have called a living room — he found an elegantly curved telephone sitting on a coffee table. Without hope, he picked up the receiver.

A maid appeared out of nowhere and scolded, “Now, Master Lee, you know your father’s got those secret codes on that” Luke got an idea.

“Tell me the code,” he said. “You’re the servant I’m Master Lee. You have to tell me the code.”

The maid laughed. “Sure, and you think I’d know it?” She shook a feather duster playfully at him. “Now, scoot I’ve got dusting to do.”

Embarrassed, Luke turned away. Master Lee. Right And Oscar thought that if Smits was out of the way, Luke could manipulate the Grants into serving the cause?

No, Luke realized. Oscar thought he could manipulate Luke into manipulating the Grants. Luke’s only choices were between being a pawn for the Grants and being a pawn for Oscar.

But Luke couldn’t even choose between those two options, because he didn’t know how or when the Grants or Oscar intended to carry out their plans. Why hadn’t he pretended to be more cooperative during both of his sessions in the secret room? Why hadn’t he just lied like everyone else?

Luke sank down onto the nearest couch. He couldn’t call Mr. Talbot or Mr. Hendricks. He couldn’t trust anyone at the Grants’ house. He couldn’t stop any of the plots boiling around him. He couldn’t even tell the difference between the lies and the truths that he’d heard. For all he knew, Oscar might be working for the Government, not the resistance. Smits might always have hated his older brother, Lee. The Grants might be the poorest people in the country, instead of the richest Or, no — Luke stared down at the finely woven carpet beneath his feet — the Grants’ wealth was one fact that was indisputable.

“Lee! There you are!” Mrs. Grant suddenly swooped into the room. Lee instantly sat up straight, but she frowned anyway “For heaven’s sake, get off that couch this instant You’ll leave it rumpled, and how would that look for our party this evening?”

Luke bolted to his feet

“P-p-party?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Grant said. “It’ll be the social event of the season. We’ve been planning it for months. It’s so nice that you and Smits are home from school and will be able to attend. Isn’t it?”

She smiled so sweetly at him that Luke had a hard time remembering how coldly she’d regarded him the night before.

“Is it — do we.. “ Luke wanted to ask if Smits and Lee had usually attended their parents’ big parties before. He wanted to ask if he’d be expected to know any of the other guests, and if so, what he was supposed to do when he met them tonight But of course those weren’t questions he could just blurt out, unless he was in the secret room. He settled for, “Do I have to wear a tux?”

Mrs. Grant laughed, making a sound that reminded Luke of breaking glass.

“Of course, you silly goose. You boys! Thinking you can get away without wearing a tuxl Would you believe Smits asked me the same thing?”

And Luke looked back into Mrs. Grant’s falsely sparkling eyes and thought, No. I’m not sure I can believe you even when you tell me something as simple as that.

“Now, come on,” Mrs. Grant said. “The orthodontist and hairdresser are here. It’s time for your makeover!”