Steven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
Inside the walls of the compound was an exotic garden with lush plantings. The driveway wound upward and ended in a large circular loop under an elegant portico.
Three men were waiting for them. Two stood back with automatic weapons while the other gestured for them to get out. (1/7) #wss366
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
He quickly frisked Coral and then turned to Jimmy.
"Francoise!" called a woman's voice. "That will not be necessary."
Coral studied her as she approached the party. She was a small elderly woman with silver hair piled up in a bun. (2/7) #wss366
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
She wore a loose, green house dress and had a lot of silver jewelry: rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. She was very lightly made up with lipstick, eyeliner, and eye shadow. (3/7) #wss366
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️
Coral wondered if she had been genuinely surprised by their arrival or if her appearance were calculated to make it seem like she had come as she was.
"But madame!" Francoise protested.
"But nothing!" she said, as she made shooing motions. Then she looked at Jimmy and her face simply lit up. (4/7) #wss366
May 20 at 11:56pmWeb
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
"Darling!" She spread her arms out for a hug.
"Ah, my little turtle dove!" Jimmy said, and swept her off her feet.
"Are you still with that terrible woman?" she said, when he set her back on her feet.
"I think that was two wives ago," he admitted. (5/7) #wss366
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
"And who is this child?" she went on.
"Please allow me to introduce my daughter, Coral," he said.
"I regret to #inform you that that terrible woman is her mother." (6/7) #wss366
Show threadSteven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️May 20
"Bah!" she said, then turned a dazzling smile onto Coral. "I shan't hold it against you, Darling. Welcome to Montagnété, my summer retreat. It is a pun, you see. Come! Come inside!"
"Thank you very much," Coral said, rather overwhelmed. (7/7) #wss366