"And your father does not want you investigating?"
"Apparently."
Rain intensified outside. Thunder rolled somewhere in the distance. Genevieve gathered several papers and returned them to a folder. "Perhaps I am wrong."
Nathaniel immediately shook his head. "You do not believe that."
"No." Her smile turned wry. "I really do not."
The conversation might have continued longer if another voice had not interrupted.
"There you are."
Victoria stood in the doorway holding an umbrella. Her appearance seemed oddly convenient. Nathaniel noticed Genevieve noticing the same thing.
"I have been looking everywhere for you," Victoria said.
Genevieve closed the folder. "Why?"
"Your father needs tomorrow's tenant reports."
"They are already finished."
Victoria's smile never changed. "Wonderful." Her gaze shifted briefly toward the documents on the desk. "Working late again?"
Genevieve followed the glance. "Something like that."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Victoria eventually stepped aside. "Do not stay up too late."
After she left, Genevieve remained seated. Nathaniel looked toward the doorway. "Interesting timing."
"Very." Genevieve stared at the closed folder. "She always seems to appear whenever I start asking questions."
Nathaniel's attention sharpened instantly. "Always?"
"Not always." She considered it. "Often enough that I have noticed."
The observation lingered between them. Neither spoke for several seconds. Finally, Nathaniel changed the subject. "You should go home before the storm gets worse."
Genevieve smiled faintly. "That sounded suspiciously like concern."
"Maybe I am learning bad habits."
"From whom?"