Free Optical Delusions in Deadwood by Ann Charles Page A

way.” She didn’t hold out her hand.

          “Violet Parker.” I didn’t hold out mine, either.

          “I know.” She turned to Wanda, her gaze hardening. “Wanda, dear, go help Millie in the kitchen. I’d like a word with our new friend without you lurking about.”

          When Wanda didn’t move, Lila snarled, “Now!”

          With a squeak and a jump, Wanda hot-footed it out of there.

          My dislike for Lila was growing at record speed. Somebody should’ve called Guinness; I was close to making the list.

          I waited until Wanda was out of earshot. “What do you need to tell me that the owner of the house can’t hear?”

          “Bold. I like that in a woman.” Lila crossed her arms, her teeth showing. They looked sharp. Seriously. I could have sworn her canines were extra pointed, like little daggers. Did she file them?

          “What did you want to talk to me about?” I wanted to get this showdown over with and be on my merry way.

          “It’s imperative that you do your best to sell this house as soon as possible.”

          I wanted that as much as she did. But I didn’t like being told what to do, especially by Miss Lila Beaumont.

          I decided not to mince words, since she wasn’t my client. “Exactly what business of yours is it if this house sells or not?”

          “I have Millie and Wanda’s best interests at heart, of course.”

          Right. Their best interests. Sure. I had to wonder if she would get a piece of the pie when the house sold. She had to have some other motivation. Why else would she still be sticking around half a year after her fiancé’s death? It couldn’t be Wanda and Millie’s sparkling personalities.

          I crossed my arms. “As I told Wanda and Millie yesterday when I agreed to sell the house, I will do my best to find them a buyer. But the market is slow, so there are no guarantees.”

          “Time is of the essence,” Lila said.

          So she had already insinuated. “For you or them?”

          Her eyes turned frosty, her matching smile sending chills down my back. “Just do your job and sell the damned house.”

          Millie came from the kitchen holding a glass of water and the signed listing agreement. Wanda followed, as usual.

          “Never mind with that,” Lila told Millie. “Miss Parker was just leaving, weren’t you?”

          I grabbed my tote. “Sure, but I want to talk to Wanda first.” When nobody moved, I added, “Alone.”

          Millie turned to Lila, as if to get her approval. Lila continued to nail me with that maniacal smile, daggers showing. “Fine. Come, Millie.” She headed toward the stairs, pausing on the first step to say, “Let yourself out when you’re finished, Miss Parker. We’ll be seeing you again soon, I hope.”

          Millie tramped up the stairs after her.

          I moved to where Wanda stood next to the sofa. “Wanda?”

          For a handful of seconds, I thought she wasn’t going to acknowledge me. Then her eyes met mine.

          “I need one more signature from you on this listing agreement.” Which was true, luckily for me. Since I hadn’t witnessed her signing it, I wanted to make sure Millie hadn’t forged her signature. I fished a pen from my bag and held it toward her.

          I heard rustling coming from the stairwell, so I lowered my voice. “Just sign right here on this line.”

          She took the pen, flattened the listing agreement on a side table, and signed without hesitation. The signature matched the other one. No foul play there. 

          Taking the pen and paper from her, I tri-folded the listing agreement. “Do you really want to sell your house, Wanda?”

          She nodded once.

          “Are you sure?”

          Another nod.

          “Why?”

          She frowned and looked