Page 37 of Behind These Four Walls

“When’d you get so sentimental? Geez,” Holland said, blushing and dismissing her. “I might seem like I’m not into everything that’s going on around here, but I know good people when I see them. And you, Isla, are good people, which we are in desperate need of around here.”

With that Holland started back up the steps while Isla watched her leave, thinking how disappointed Holland would be when sheproved Holland wrong. Isla was not good people. At least, not while she was here.

Mae pulled away from the curb with practiced ease, then rounded the drive and branched off onto one of the paved paths. As they bumped along the winding path leading to their quarters, Mae began her rundown of the estate’s inner workings, her tone brisk but friendly, like she’d done this many times before.

“As you already know, the Corrigans are demanding and”—she searched for the right word—“unique. But they take really good care of the house staff and the company’s employees. Mr. Corrigan is very firm on ensuring his people are well treated, so you won’t find high turnover here. When people come on board here, they tend to stay.”

Eden’s mother hadn’t.

“We provide around-the-clock care and availability for the family and their guests.” She side-eyed Isla.

Isla jumped in. “Which I’m not.”

Mae scoffed. “We’ll see about that. But for now, no, you’re not a guest.”

They passed the elaborate guest housing, equipped with its own pool and other amenities. Guests were living nearly as well as the Corrigans, Isla thought, gazing at the buildings as they passed. Mae mistook her awe for disappointment or wistfulness.

“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at your accommodations,” Mae told her. “Mr. Corrigan believes that if his people are happy, then they will do their best. They’ll be loyal. Grab that box right there.”

Isla did as told, leaning over to pick up a black box. Isla looked at her inquisitively, then opened the box to reveal a sleek black Apple Watch. She looked back at Mae askance.

“All staff wear a watch when they’re on shift. When the Corrigans need them, they send messages, or they’ll ask me to send messages to whichever staff member they need. Staff are to be reachable at all times when on duty.”

Isla nodded, staring at the watch inside. She wondered whose idea the watches were, and three guesses led to Brooke. Having people ather beck and call sounded right up her entitled and pretentious alley. The lid of the box closed with a light pop. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass on this.” She didn’t even bother with the excuse of being a contract employee. She just refused to be on a leash, which these watches were. It was also a way to track her whereabouts. “Mrs. Corrigan can come see me if she takes issue with it.”

Mae raised a brow but didn’t press the issue. “She will notice. She doesn’t miss much.”

“I’m counting on it,” Isla muttered under her breath.

The cart rounded a bend, and Isla’s new three-story home came into view. The building was large and looked newly built. It was open and airy, plainer than the guest quarters and the main house but matching the rest of the estate. There was even an elevator, which Isla appreciated. Isla spotted some staff entering and leaving the building, some on and some off duty. Mae parked the cart next to several other carts and led Isla inside.

“Pretty fancy for staff housing,” Isla said, taking everything in. The inside was equally impressive, with polished hardwood floors and light-gray walls.

There was a communal lounge on the ground floor furnished with comfortable-looking couches, bookshelves, and a huge wide-screen TV built into the wall. Mae walked Isla through the common areas, showing her the gym, the laundry facilities, and the café-style kitchen with a large restaurant-grade refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher. Through the large windows showing the back, Isla could see outdoor seating areas and a large firepit, where some of the staff were lounging after a long day’s work. Dorms—the place reminded Isla of upscale college dorms; it was all-inclusive, with everything the staff might need when they were away from the main house and their own homes.

Isla’s apartment was on the third floor, a fully furnished one-bedroom suite with a small kitchenette, a plush queen-size bed, and a balcony overlooking the grounds. She nodded approvingly, her thoughts going. Impressive.

“Thought I’d be stuck in a dungeon,” Isla muttered, forgetting she wasn’t alone.

Mae laughed. “I doubt Mrs. Corrigan could get away with that. Even if you are temporary, you were specifically chosen by Mr. Corrigan himself. And your position falls under Special Projects, which is run by Myles Corrigan.”

Isla ignored the little zing at Myles’s name. Jackass.

Mae continued, “Everyone knows how you got here, and so that’s why you can get away with not wearing the watch.” Mae looked at Isla mischievously. “And be kept out of the dungeon.”

Isla froze. “Because there really is one?”

Mae broke out laughing, and Isla joined tepidly, unsure what to make of it all. The woman didn’t say there wasn’t one. Isla sat on the bed, taking it all in.

“You’ll meet the others soon enough as they pass by. They’re a good group. Everyone does what they’re supposed to, and they keep Corrigan business to the Corrigans. We ask no questions here.”

Isla raised a hand. “But that’s what I’m here for. To ask questions. For the profile.”

Mae nodded. “They will accommodate. To an extent. And I hope you’ll have discretion. Contrary to what you’ve encountered from Mrs. Corrigan, the majority of the family are good people.”

Better to start now. Isla asked, “Then you know of their daughter ... the one who is gone or something? Edie, I think?”

At the mention, Mae stiffened, her face becoming stony and her door shutting. She was too far in to talk so easily, Isla chastised herself. Mae would take work. She’d have to see Isla’s sincerity. “At any rate, everyone will try to help you out as best as they can.”