Page 53 of Behind These Four Walls

She passed the kitchen like a prisoner heading for lockup. They had perfected the art of busying themselves while also being very watchful. Mae and Brooke trailed behind—for moral support, Brooke said. Victor was in his study, in his chair, looking less aggrieved. And there was a woman with them. They introduced the statuesque beauty as Claudia, a family friend. She and Bennett were seated and chatting with him. Dixon was nearby, as usual, watching but saying little.

“Forget about Myles. I’m right here,” Bennett was saying to Claudia. “We can go out. Have a good time. I’m a lot more fun.”

Claudia laughed, and it immediately annoyed Isla. Even the woman’s laugh sounded wealthy and pretentious. Which brother was Claudia there for? Because she clearly had an agenda and was going fishing in the Corrigan pool.

Their conversation stopped with Isla’s tepid knock on the door. She stepped in, feeling like the most out-of-place person. Victor looked at her warily.

“I come with a peace offering,” Isla said, producing the drink. He had his own bar in his study and could have made a drink if he’d wanted. Yet here she was, giving him something he hadn’t asked for. Too late now.

She said, “I heard your favorite drink to relax is scotch with something a little sweet.” His brow wrinkled in confusion but cleared when she continued. “So I fixed you a glass. I hope you know how sorry I am for upsetting you, and I hope it doesn’t mess up the good thing we got going.” She grinned, hoping he’d found his humor again.

He considered her, first appearing as if she wouldn’t get another inch with him. He gradually began to relax, easing back into his seat. The fire in his eyes extinguishing, he gestured that she could give him the drink.

She watched apprehensively as Victor took a sip of the drink she’d prepared, since she didn’t know how well it had turned out. His brow furrowed as he licked his lips, trying to place the extra touch she’d put in. He cleared his throat.

“Is it too strong? Should I have put in more of the sweet?” she asked, unsure of her bartending skills. She should have used simple syrup.

His clearing of his throat became louder. He loosened his tie knot, setting the glass down hard on the desk, making Isla jump. It splashed its contents on the desk.

“What—what—” He couldn’t finish. His breathing became labored, and his face flushed a deeper shade. He grabbed at his throat, looking frantically at Dixon. “Can’t. Breathe.” He slumped in his chair.

Chapter Forty

At first, the room was silent as they watched Victor writhing in his chair. Then realization hit, and the room erupted into chaos. Isla could only watch, transfixed by the scene before her. Brooke and Mae shoved past her. Bennett was out of his seat and by his father’s side almost as quickly as Dixon was. In Dixon’s hand was a prepped EpiPen, its needle gleaming.

“Victor? What’s wrong?” Brooke’s look of genuine concern made Isla even more terrified, and she didn’t know whether to step forward or back. What was going on? What was the pen for? Why was Dixon slamming it into Victor’s upper thigh while Victor wheezed and everyone around him called his name? Called for 911. Called for Jesus—that was Mae.

What was happening? Isla stared at the drink, rooted to her spot. Her fists balled at her sides.

“What did you use?” Brooke demanded. Her voice was sharp and urgent.

Isla pointed to the ground. “The almond liqueur, because you said something smoky, and I thought that was it.”

Brooke’s eyes widened. Her hand went to her mouth. “Almond? Victor is severely allergic to almonds.”

“I—I didn’t know he was allergic to nuts. I’ve seen him eat—I didn’t know!” Isla was horrified, her mind unable to comprehend howclose she’d come to killing Victor Corrigan. She had to hold on to the corner of a bureau to keep from falling.

Brooke said, “It must have been left out by mistake, or someone forgot to get rid of it when restocking. We’ve had new staff in. Oh no. Mae, we need to ensure there’s not a speck of almond in the house.”

Sweat poured down Victor’s face. His breaths were labored, but his coloring had started to return. He continued to cough in attempts to clear his throat. Why the tumbler of scotch was not whisked away and the table wiped clean, Isla found perplexing, but she didn’t question anything. He was handed a bottle of water. Myles had appeared at the door, having heard the commotion, and he ran to his father’s aid, not even glancing her way.

“I am so, so very sorry,” Isla said, tears welling against her wishes. She couldn’t believe what was happening. First being caught in Eden’s room. Now this. They were going to think she had done this on purpose.

Victor was waving almost everyone away from him to get space. He was disheveled and jittery, allowing Dixon and Myles to aid him. Brooke stood with Bennett and Claudia, watching as Dixon and Myles tended to Victor and Mae ensured they were doing it right. Brooke turned to Isla.

She said, “I only meant for you to give an olive branch, not to poison him!” Brooke took a calming breath. “I should have clarified ...” Brooke addressed Mae, looking for where to lay blame. “Mae, what was the bottle doing there in the first place? You know Mr. Corrigan and Holland are allergic to almonds. There should be no almonds in the house!”

Mae nodded slightly. “Yes, Mrs. Corrigan. I’ll get on it right away.”

Mae backed away from the desk, ending up beside Isla, who stood trembling like a leaf. Isla looked at her. “I didn’t know,” she whispered, barely able to see anything but wavy shapes for the tears clouding her vision.

“How could you not know?” Bennett demanded, rounding on Isla. “This is basic information, and you’re the one who’s supposed to be learning all about my father. How do you miss what he’s allergic to?”

“But I don’t feed him” was all Isla could think to say. In all her prep work, should she have known about Victor’s very specific allergy?

Brooke said, “Now, Bennett, it’s possible for her not to know. She sees nuts around the house. It’s rare for people to be allergic to one type of nut and not the others. Don’t be too hard on her. She tried.”

If Isla was thinking clearly, she would have guessed what Brooke was doing. How she was planting seeds of doubt and sowing discord, adding to Victor’s distrust of her after Eden’s room. There was nothing she could have said that would have sounded right in this moment.