When Marie came out of her bedroom the following morning, she was surprised to find Toby, Charlotte, and Francis standing by their bedroom doors. Giving them a suspicious look, she said, "So you think by being outside of the rooms I won't inspect them as I always do in the morning?"

Francis spoke up saying, "Not at all, tante Marie. We wanted to be ready to go to the kitchen with you to get breakfast ready. Nothing more."

Marie had to hide how proud she felt with Francis, and her having the courage to speak up. But appearances had to be upheld, and she told them, "I will still inspect each of your bedrooms to see for myself, shall I?" She received her second shock as the three opened their bedroom doors and stood off to the side to await Marie's inspection. Ever since the inception of Seasons House, no girl, or boy, had ever invited Jane or Marie into their bedrooms as these three had just done. Giving the three one more puzzled look, Marie entered Toby's bedroom and did her usual inspection. As she had found the previous times inspecting his bedroom, nothing was out of place or untidy. She followed the same routine for Charlotte's and then Francis' bedrooms, again finding nothing out of place or untidy. She slowly walked out of Francis' bedroom, stood where she could see all three, then asked, "What is going on, Mes amours (my lovelies?)? Why are you doing this? Someone please explain it to me, now."

Stepping away from the wall and facing Marie, Charlotte said, "Every morning you come in and wake us, telling us to hurry and you seem frustrated when you do. So, we decided to be up and ready, helping to keep you from becoming frustrated with us this early in the morning. That's all there is to it."

Marie looked at each one before saying, "J'apprécie ce que vous avez fait. Vous êtes vraiment spéciaux tous les trois (I appreciate what you've done. You three are indeed special.). Viens. Nous avons un petit-déjeuner à préparer (Come. We have breakfast to prepare.)."

With smiles on their faces, Charlotte and Francis waited for Toby to reach them before they walked to the stairs and descended them together. Jane had just come out of her bedroom and saw Marie step off the last step and onto the first floor. She heard the three teens descending the stairs and gave Marie a raised eyebrow. Marie told her, "Stabant extra cubicula sua exspectantes me (They were standing outside their rooms waiting for me.)."

Jane asked, "Et conclavia eorum (And their rooms?)?"

Answering Jane, Marie said, "Mundus et luculentam solito (Clean and tidy as usual.)."

By then the three had reached the first floor and continued walking to the kitchen. Toby was the first to return from the kitchen, carrying a stack of plates. He was followed by Francis, who began placing the silverware in its proper place. Marie and Jane watched as the two worked, looking at each other and having the same unasked question. 'Where's Charlotte?' Their unasked question was answered when Charlotte came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and asked, "Tante Marie, what did you plan for breakfast? Oh, good morning Aunt Jane. Uh, no, I haven't done anything but take care of the mugs left by the sink, if you were wondering. Tante Marie, if you didn't have anything specific in mind, how do pancakes and sausage sound? And fruit? I know a really good pancake recipe, if you'd like to use it, that is." Charlotte then looked at Jane then back to Marie, and back to Jane, who had a puzzled look on her face. She slowly started walking towards Jane, stopping when she was two steps in front of her. "Have I done something wrong again, Aunt Jane? Or have we done something wrong?"

Jane became even more puzzled as Francis laid the silverware down on the table and she and Toby walked over to stand next to Charlotte. "What's going on here?" Jane asked, looking from one to the other, then back at Charlotte. "Francis, why have you and Toby come to stand next to Charlotte? One of you needs to explain this to me right now."

Toby cleared his throat before telling Jane, "Well, Aunt Jane, if the three of us have done something wrong, then the three of us will stand together and accept the consequences."

Jane looked at Marie again and received a Galic shrug as an answer. "No, you three need to back up and explain why you were standing outside of your bedrooms and waiting for Marie. And why you are getting ready for breakfast on your volition. Which of you would care to explain?"

"Aunt Jane, we aren't trying to trick you or Marie. We knew what we had to do in the morning and did it. We felt there wasn't any reason to just sit in our bedrooms waiting for Marie, so when we were ready, we stepped out of our bedrooms and waited for Marie so we could get started preparing for breakfast. That's all there is to it, Aunt Jane." Francis had taken one step forward before she spoke, and now took one step back to again stand next to Toby and Charlotte.

This time it was Charlotte who stepped forward one step and said, "Aunt Jane, you and Marie have shown us what you expect in the morning when we first get up and how to set the dining room table for our meals. Marie has shown us what we need to do in the kitchen, though we only do that now when she's in the kitchen with us. You and Marie taught us those things, why should we wait to be told to do them when we already know what needs to be done? This way you and Marie won't be so upset or frustrated by needing to tell us every time something needs to be done, unless it's something new to us."

Jane had schooled herself to appear not quite angry but not quite pleased either, to maintain her dominance over the three. Inwardly, she was so pleased with the three it was hard for her not to show it. In a voice of a neutral tember, Jane said, "Then I think the three of you need to return to your work. Charlotte, you will assist Marie with making pancakes using the recipe you spoke of using. Sausage and fruit are acceptable. Please proceed."

Jane received another shock as Toby bowed and the girls curtsied as they replied, "Yes, Aunt Jane," in unison before turning and resuming their duties.

Jane watched the three walk back to their previous duties, looking at Marie and shaking her head. "Credis hoc, Marie (Do you believe this, Marie?)? Adhuc solliciti sunt de nobis (They are still worried about us.)."

Marie smiled and replied, as she slowly walked toward the kitchen, "Non vis hoc (You don't want this?)? Est bonum sic (It's good like that.)." She disappeared into the kitchen before Jane could say more.

Jane stood mesmerized as she watched Francis and Toby going in and out of the kitchen as though they'd done the work for years, never once complaining as they worked. She shook her head once more then walked to the study to check her emails and see if any faxes had arrived. Before she had walked through the living room, she heard, "Aunt Jane, wait. I brought you a cup of tea," Francis told her, walking up to Jane where she'd stopped and turned to the voice after hearing her name. Francis walked up to her and held out a saucer holding a full cup of tea. "We thought you'd like a cup of tea until breakfast is ready."

Marie caught her attention, standing in the frame of the kitchen door, holding the door open enough so she could look out. Marie smiled and shook her head once before going back into the kitchen. Redirecting her sight onto Francis, Jane reached out and grasped the saucer, telling Francis, "Thank you, Francis. That's very thoughtful of the three of you."

Francis curtsied and said, "You're welcome, Aunt Jane. If you'll excuse me I need to return to the kitchen." When Jane nodded her head, Francis turned and made her way back to the kitchen.

Jane stood in her spot for a moment longer before turning and walking the short distance to the study door. As she put her hand on the doorknob, she said to herself, "Remarkable. Simply remarkable," before opening the study door and entering the study. After closing the door behind her, Jane walked over to her desk, sat down, and turned on the computer. It had just booted up when the fax machine chimed, signaling a fax was ready to be printed. Jane entered her computer password, then stood up and stepped to the fax machine, where she entered a code and waited until the machine printed out the new fax. Taking the printed fax off the machine, she stepped back to her chair, sat down, she began reading the fax.

From: Jeb Thorton, et al.

To: Jane Thompson

RE: Mysterious Woman

Jane,

The police and our investigators have identified the mysterious woman Strom has been seen with, it's his mistress. They are now trying to find out if she is involved and if so, how deeply is she involved. They've started doing a background check on her and so far, it appears this isn't the first time she's been associated with this type of crime. However, when previously investigated by another law enforcement agency in another state, they couldn't definitively prove she was involved or if she was, how deeply involved. Also, before the other law enforcement agency could get too deep into their investigations, that shoplifting gang dissolved without a trace. To let things die down in the other state, it's believed they moved into our area and resumed their operations, since she is now in our area. In the year and a half the shoplifting gang operated in that state, it's estimated they shoplifted very close to fifty million dollars worth of merchandise. The undercover group has her under surveillance 24/7 wherever she goes and whomever she meets with.

Another note for you. The statements taken from those arrested are bearing fruit in two ways. While doing a background check on Strom's mistress, law enforcement in the other state was able to find several who transported the shoplifted merchandise for the shoplifting gang to our area, leading to the discovery of additional warehouses in our area. There was quite a debate on how to handle this new information, with some wanting to go in and determine if what was discovered came from the other state. Cooler heads prevailed, though, pointing out they were trying to find concrete evidence of Strom's and the woman's involvement. So, in the dead of night, concealed security cameras were placed around and in those warehouses, plus the warehouses they already knew about.

You may tell Frank he has nothing to worry about with his Aunt Agnus, she won't be around for several years, due to her scheme with the CPS agent initially charged with Frank's case. Both women will be out of circulation for some time. Because of what Frank's former caseworker had been doing, an investigation has been undertaken of the entire CPS department. And so far, two other caseworkers have been discovered to be taking kickbacks much like Frank's former caseworker.

When her husband was presented with the evidence against his wife, he was in total denial. He couldn't believe his wife could do such a thing, until she turned on him, accusing him of being too stupid to see the pile of 'shit,' her words, he was about to step in. He then remembered what Frank told him and that denial vanished, as will their marriage after he files the divorce papers. On a good note for Frank, a new CPS caseworker has been assigned to Frank's case, and she can't see any reason he can't live with Penny Willows again, now that her cancer is in remission. And if her cancer does return, it will be up to the Willows whether Frank can stay with them, and not the CPS.

It's uncertain how much longer it will take before there's enough evidence against Strom, and possibly his mistress, to arrest both of them and be sure of a rock-steady case assuring a conviction and prison time. If they can't be arrested for the shoplifting spree in our area and the other state, then because of how sloppy the killings were, and Tylor being left alive, and if enough evidence can be found linking them to the murders and the attempted murder, they'll be charged with those crimes and never see the outside world again.

Please give our love to Charles, and tell him we wait for the day he can come home.

Regards,

Jeb

As was her custom, Jane reread the fax, looking for anything hidden within the words other than their obvious meaning. She picked up the phone on her desk, dialed the kitchen, and asked Marie to send Francis to her; she needed to hear the information for her immediately. She hung up the phone before pushing her chair back, standing, and walking to the window. It was a clear morning, the sun still low enough that her house cast a shadow in its light. When she heard the knock on the study door, she yelled out, "Come in" and resumed gazing out the window.

Jane heard the study door open and then close, and Francis asking, "You wanted to see me, Aunt Jane?"

'The book' sliding off the bookshelf caused Jane to say, "Not right now, Francis. Come stand with me." She heard the book being replaced on the bookshelf and then the soft steps of Francis as she walked over and stood by Jane. "Francis I'd like to know where you'd like to live if your Aunt Agnus was out of the picture. If you'd never see her again. Where would you like to live?"

Jane had put her arm around Francis' shoulder as she asked her question. She felt the tension in Francis' shoulder come and go, likely because Francis believed she was about to be punished for something she'd done wrong. "Why would Aunt Agnus be out of the picture, Aunt Jane? How is it possible I'd never see her again?"

"Let's sit down, Francis," Jane told her, before turning Francis and leading her to the chair at the table she wanted Francis to use. Walking around the table, Jane pulled out the chair opposite Francis and sat down. Jane looked Francis in the eye and told her, "Francis, the Willows wanted you to come back and live with them when Penny's cancer went into remission. That didn't happen because your CPS caseworker was getting a kickback from your Aunt Agnus. As long as you stayed with your Aunt Agnus, Aunt Agnus was giving your caseworker half of the support money she was being paid to take care of you. And your Aunt never used that support money for anything to do with you. There were some bugs put into certain people's ears and after investigating the caseworker and your Aunt, their scheme came to light. Your Aunt Agnus will now have another experience, she didn't expect, behind bars. She's going to prison, Francis, and you might be of age before she is released."

Jane watched as Francis thought about what she had just told her, knowing Francis as she did, expecting a question because of the expression now on Francis' face. "Aunt Jane, if Aunt Agnus was only keeping me for the money, why did she treat me so horribly? Wouldn't someone after money in this manner want to keep the person around so they would continue getting the support money? Instead, she treated me like dirt, actually worse than dirt. She made it unbearable to live there by locking me in my bedroom, constantly belittling me, and not feeding me. That's no way to treat a person if you're depending on the money you receive for housing a person."

Jane shook her head and replied, "Francis, your Aunt wouldn't have been able to treat you as she did had the CPS caseworker assigned to your case been an upstanding person. As it was, that caseworker looked the other way so she could continue getting her cut of the money your Aunt was receiving for your care. As a result of her actions, an investigation is being conducted of the entire CPS department, and so far, two other caseworkers have been discovered to be receiving kickbacks as your former caseworker was receiving. You now have a new caseworker who sees no reason you can't return to live with the Willows. And, should your Aunt Penny's cancer return, whether you remain living with the Willows will be solely up to the Willows, not the CPS."

Watching Francis closely, Jane hoped her news wouldn't set Francis off as she had before when she had her meltdown. This time though, while tears were sliding down her face, she also had a huge smile on her face. "Oh, Aunt Jane, that's the best news I could ever receive. Just knowing Aunt Agnus won't be in my life anymore is wonderful to hear. And that she will finally pay for her actions is even better to hear. I do, though, feel bad for my Uncle. He's a real nice guy who didn't deserve to be treated as my Aunt treated him. I'm guessing he's divorcing my Aunt?"

Nodding her head, Jane answered, "Yes he is, Francis. He didn't believe what he was told at first, but when he remembered what you told him he finally accepted the evidence."

There was a sudden knock on the study door before it opened and they heard, "Hey, Janie. These hungry animals out here told me to tell you they want to eat. Are you two coming?"

Francis knuckled her eyes, then chuckled as she watched Jane shake her head, look toward the ceiling, then say, "Oh, the people I have to put up with." Jane turned to face Sherry, still standing with only her head in the study, and said, "What did you tell me the other day about private sessions and not interrupting them?"

"Yeah, okay, Janie. You two coming to breakfast? It's getting cold."

Looking at Francis' smiling face, Jane asked her, "Shall we go to breakfast so the savage animals can obtain sustenance?"

Francis couldn't help herself and laughed out loud, telling Jane, "Maybe we should, Aunt Jane. I could use some of that sustenance myself."

They both pushed their chairs back, stood up, and with Jane's arm around Francis' shoulder, they both walked out of the study; Sherry had left the study door open.

When Jane and Francis walked out of the study, they saw everyone but Toby standing behind their chairs. Toby was standing behind Jane's chair, waiting to seat her first. "Et qui a toujours insisté pour que le petit-déjeuner soit pris chaud (And who always insisted that breakfast be eaten hot?)?" Marie asked, as Jane and Francis reached the dining room table.

Jane looked at Marie with her dragon glare as Toby helped seat her, telling Marie, "Je crois que nous avons déjà discuté de votre situation en matière de logement (I believe we have already discussed your housing situation.)."

As Toby seated Marie next, Sherry, Susan, Francis, and Charlotte, had their hands over their mouths, trying not to laugh at the two women's antics. Marie laughed as she said, "Oh s'il te plait. Vous ne sauriez pas quoi faire en cuisine sans moi. Et vous le savez (Oh please. You wouldn't know what to do in the kitchen without me. And you know it.)."

The next thing said came from Toby, who was standing between Jane and Marie. Looking from one woman to the other, he said, "La seule équipe de comédie que j'ai vue mieux que vous deux est Abbott et Costello (The only comedy team I've seen better than you two is Abbott and Costello.)."

The statement Toby made, and the look Jane and Marie gave him, caused the others to burst out laughing. Sherry dropped to her knees because she was laughing so hard. Susan had to hold onto the back of her chair as she laughed. And Charlotte and Francis were holding each other up as they laughed. As Toby walked around to Sherry's chair to help her sit down, Jane and Marie's stares followed him as he walked. Toby stood looking down at the still-laughing Sherry, before looking back at Jane and Marie. The look he saw on both of the women's faces told him volumes. He turned and slowly walked back to stand between the two, put his arms around the shoulders of both of the women, telling them, "You two are two of the best friends I've ever seen. Please, don't ever change, it would be a tragedy." He then kissed each woman on the cheek before walking back to Sherry's chair and finally being able to help seat her. He then seated Susan before moving on to Francis and Charlotte. After seating himself, everyone waited as he bowed his head for his short prayer.

Everyone looked at Jane and Marie as they both took a few moments to clear their throats, after what Toby said to them. When Jane was finally able to speak, she said, "Thank you for those kind words, Toby." She then reached over and grasped Marie's hand. "True friendship is a rare find, and should be maintained once it's found." Jane then reached over and grasped Sherry's hand, giving both hands a light squeeze. Letting go of Marie's and Sherry's hands, she told the teens, "I believe Susan said Sherry would be administering IQ tests to you three today. Sherry, I believe the study would be adequate for that purpose, so Susan may continue in the library. While one of you is taking the test, the other two should be working on the lessons Susan has given you. That's after Marie is satisfied with your endeavors in the kitchen. And that's after you three don your work clothes and deal with the stable. Toby, adequate work clothes will be lying on your bed once you finish in the kitchen. Do what you are able but don't overdo it. Understand, young man?"

More laughter was suppressed as the expression on the faces of Charlotte and Francis turned to one of disbelief upon hearing they'd have to muck out the stalls in the stable. Toby not knowing what they'd be doing asked, "What are we going to do?"

In a deadpan voice, Charlotte told him, "Muck out the stalls in the stable. I hope you can hold your breath for a long time."

There was some laughter before Toby said to Charlotte, "Horses? I finally get to see the horses? They're beautiful animals, Charlotte. Their excrement is unique to them. I've been around them before and it isn't that bad. Now if you want flying killing stench, work around pigs. The animals don't stink, but their excrement would gag a maggot."

Jane cleared her throat, getting the three teen's attention. She gave them her 'you've forgotten something' look, causing the three teens to say in unison, "Yes Aunt Jane."

Dishes were passed from person to person, each taking the portion they wanted. Jane's inquiries into the lessons Susan was giving them turned into a round-robin of questions and answers and discussions before their breakfast had come to an end and the kitchen work began. When the teens were all in the kitchen, Sherry told Jane, "You know Toby paid you and Marie a very high compliment? And he thinks the world of you two, right?"

Jane nodded her head and replied with, "Yes I do, Sherry. It means a lot to both of us, coming from one of our wards. Something of that nature only occurs, if it occurs, several weeks into our girl's stay. Marie and I will miss those three when they leave, they are the epitome of the boys we want all of our boys to become before leaving us."