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“Three seconds” The vein in Lucas’s temple throbbed

Ruby’s heart clogged her throat

“What is going on with this door?” Jasperalmost as drunk as Rolf “It won’t open”

“Done” Lucas unplugged Rolf’s phone fro the phone back dohere it had been next to the decanter

He hustled back over to his chair and sat down a moment before Jasper released the door

Ingrid stood by herself on the other side, hands on her hips and a weary downturn to her mouth Ruby tried to hyperventilate as quietly as possible while Lucas took a bite of the creas as if it was just another boring family dinner

“Did you forget how a door worked, Jasper?” Ingrid asked, her tone softer than her words, before strolling into the rooht to Rolf’s seat “Ah, there it is Your father refused to retire to his roo to deliver it” She picked up the phone in one hand and rubbed her temple with the other “After that we really need to finalize the dinnerup to inning to ache”

“Of course” She stood up, playing the ever dutiful daughter while et Lucas alone and ain “Good night everyone”

She brushed a kiss against Lucas’s cheek to cover what she had to do next “Tomorrow Noon The library”

How she’d sneak away fro plans she was sure her mom had, she didn’t know, but she would Noto keep her clueless again

…

The next afternoon, Lucas had to pass by Rolf’s office on his way to the library Taking a quick peek in, the first thing he spotted was Joey glowering in a corner; the second was a green-faced Rolf hurtling straight at hi both ain their balance Lucas came back, hands loose at his sides but pried hisa solid hit would probably result in his shoes swi in puke

Rolf steadied himself with a hand on the doorframe “Luc”

“Are you okay?” he asked, taking a safety step back

The olderthewell”