We reach Petra’s house at the same time. Phil marches straight inside, door banging in his wake.
“He’s taking it well,” I murmur as we follow.
“This is unacceptable,” Phil says as he strides into the living room, where Émilie sips tea.
“Hello, Phil. You look good. The fresh air obviously agrees with you.”
He stops in the middle of the room. “All visits by board members must be sanctioned by the council, with ample time provided to prepare for such a visit.”
Émilie frowns. “Are you certain? I don’t recall such a rule. Of course, at my age, my memory can be—”
“Do not even attempt that with me. Your memory is fine.” He glances back at us, his face hard. “The council insisted on a full psychological exam last year, when they had reason to doubt her faculties. She passed with flying colors.”
“Reason to doubt my faculties?” Émilie snorts. “They wanted to doubt my faculties. When Bruce was diagnosed with dementia, it gave them an idea. They hoped I would fail so they would have reason to oust me.”
“I thought you two had never met,” I say. “That’s what you told us last year, Phil.”
“We have since spoken, and I have launched inquiries. Her mental faculties are in perfect working order.”
“Excellent,” Émilie says. “Then you will have no excuse to ignore my advice.”
“And you have no excuse for being here.”
“Well, I could say that I came to help translate, but I don’t actually need an excuse. I am an original board member, and my husband and I were the largest early contributors to Rockton’s financial health. As such, we are grandfathered from all restrictions later placed on the board, which is why I was able to contact you last year without fear of censure.” She meets Phil’s gaze. “Section 9.3.2.1 of the policies and procedures manual.”
“I will check that. I have a copy in my lodgings.”
“I’m just surprised you haven’t memorized it.”
Phil rocks back on his heels. “I did not foresee the need before my tenure here, but I have been working on it.”
“That was a joke, Phil. Sit down. Have a tea. Try to relax. Whatever rules I have or have not broken, no one will blame you.”
“That is not my primary concern.”
“Then it seems Rockton has worked her magic on you, too. I’m glad to see it.”
Their eyes lock, and Phil stiffly lowers himself onto a seat. Dalton and I sit on the floor—unless you have one of the chalets, your place isn’t big enough for group entertaining, and Petra’s job at the general store doesn’t qualify her for better. I’m sure she could get top-notch accommodations with Émilie pulling the strings, but Émilie doesn’t seem the type to do that, and Petra certainly isn’t the type to accept it. Their privilege is the sort that only greases wheels that undeniably need greasing.
Petra sets out a platter of cookies. As I reach for one, she pulls it away with, “Everyone else, take yours fast, or they’ll be gone once Casey gets her hands on them. I’ve never seen a woman eat so many cookies without an extra ounce to show for it.”
“We work it off,” Dalton says as he takes a cookie.
Both Émilie and Petra sputter laughs.
“I bet you’re very helpful that way, Eric,” Émilie says. “Keeping Casey in shape.”
He hesitates, cookie to his mouth, and spots of color bloom on his cheeks. “I meant the job. It keeps us busy, which is the reason for this meeting.” He glances over, his eyes begging me to change the subject.
Before I can, Petra pushes the plate my way and looks at her grandmother. “If you want to get in Casey’s good graces, these are the key. Cookies. Preferably with chocolate. Chocolate chip, peanut butter with chocolate, oatmeal with chocolate … The bakers have learned to incorporate chocolate into at least one batch of every cookie they make. They know Casey’s weakness.”
“Nah,” Dalton says. “It’s not a weakness. It’s a trick. People think they can get on her good side with cookies and chocolate, and she lets them believe that so she gets all the cookies and chocolate she wants. No one actually benefits from it except Casey. And me. I’m the exception, right?”
He looks my way.
“Absolutely,” I say. “Just keep telling yourself that, and keep the chocolate coming.” I glance at Phil, who has finally relaxed.
“So, to bring everyone up to date…” I say, and I explain what happened this afternoon, for Petra and Phil, who’d only known the basics.