Aunt Elaine requested a private dinner with Lucas, and she informed me of this arrangement at breakfast with a tone suggesting it was not a request but a summons. "I need to understand your assistant, and you'll be present but you won't speak. This is between him and me."
I stared at her. "You want to interrogate Lucas."
"I want to understand him. Interrogation is simply structured understanding."
"That's the same thing."
"Perspective." She took a sip of her tea. Lucas had made it because the house obeyed him. "He wants to be part of this family, and Eleanor gave him a key. You've given him your attention. I need to determine if he's worth either."
"He's worth both."
"Then my questions will only confirm what you already know. You should welcome this."
