"Good morning, Diana. How was your cooking class?"
"Very good, thank you. We made soufflés."
"Excellent. Mrs. Frost is visiting us today. She has a daughter who may join us at Brookhollow.”
She made herself look, made herself look into the deep brown eyes that were her own. Was there calculation there, as there had been in hers? Was there the rage and the determination, bubbling, boiling under that serene surface? Or had they found a way to smother it?
"I'm sure your daughter would love Brookhollow, Mrs. Frost. We all do."
My daughter, she thought. Oh God. "Thank you, Diana."
There was a slow, easy smile, and their eyes held one more instant before the child said her good-byes and walked away.
Her heart bounded. They'd known each other. How could they not? How could you look into your own eyes and not see?
As Evelyn led her away, she glanced over her shoulder. So did the child. Their eyes locked again, and there was another smile, a full one, a fierce one.
We'll get out, Deena thought. They won't keep us here.
"Diana is one of our treasures," Evelyn said. "Bright and questing, Quite athletic, too. While we focus on giving all our studen
ts the most well-rounded of educations, we do comprehensive testing and evaluations so we're able to showcase their strengths and main areas of interests."
Diana, was all she could think with emotions cartwheeling through her. But she said the right things, made the right moves, and was shown into Samuels's quarters.
Students were only admitted to this sanctuary when they were particularly good, or had committed some major infraction. She'd never been through the door.
She'd been very careful to blend.
But she'd been told what to expect, had been given the precise layout and specifications. So she concentrated on it now, on what needed to be done now, and forced all thought of the child away.
The suite was decorated in the school colors-blue and white. White walls, blue fabrics. White floor, blue rugs. Two windows west-one double window south.
It was soundproofed, contained no cameras.
There was security, of course, windows and door. And Samuels wore a wrist unit that held a communicator. There were two 'links, one for the school, one private.
A wall screen, and behind the screen a vault that held files on all students.
Tea was spread on a white table. Blue dishes, white cookies.
She took the chair she was offered, waited until Samuels poured tea.
"Why don't you tell me more about Angel?"
Despite her efforts, she thought of Diana. "She's my heart."
Evelyn smiled. "Of course. You mentioned she shows artistic abilities."
"Yes, she enjoys drawing. It gives her great pleasure. I want her happy, more than anything."
"Naturally. Now-"
"What an interesting necklace." Now, she thought, do it now, before you sicken. "May I?"
Even as Evelyn glanced down at the pendant, Diana was rising from her chair, leaning forward as if studying the stone. The scalpel was in her hand.
And into Evelyn's heart.