Page 79 of The Maid's Secret

“It’s true,” says Mr.Snow.

“Where was it found?” Detective Stark asks. “And who found it?”

“It was…a team effort. You’re about to hear the entire story.”

Mr.Snow escorts us to his office, where I’m surprised to see several of my colleagues gathered. Angela, Sunshine, Lily, Cheryl, and even Juan are standing in a row, looking very much like a policelineup of usual suspects. On Mr.Snow’s desk, twinkling mischievously, is the object that has caused me both great elation and immense consternation—the Fabergé egg. Perplexingly, next to Mr.Snow’s desk is my maid’s trolley.

“Why is my trolley in here? And what is everyone doing in this office?” I ask, since no one has volunteered a word.

“Your answer is on the desk,” Angela says as she points to the elephant in the room, which in this case is egg shaped.

“Mi amor,”says Juan. “I think you should sit down.”

“I thinkIshould sit down,” says Detective Stark as she saunters over to Mr.Snow’s desk, removes a notebook from her pocket, and settles in. “Let’s start with who found it,” she suggests.

“It wasn’t me!” Cheryl exclaims, hands in the air. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“For the love of dill pickles,” Angela exclaims.

“If there wasn’t a copper in this room,” Sunshine adds, “I swear I’d—”

“For once, Cheryl’s not lying,” Juan says. “Technically, she didn’t find the egg.”

“It’s not aboutwhofound it,” says Lily.

“Exactly!” Angela replies. “It’s about who put it there in the first place.”

My head is swiveling so quickly amongst speakers I fear I might getwhiplash. The more they bicker, the less I understand. I slide into one of Mr.Snow’s leather armchairs.

“Cheryl,” says Mr.Snow, “let’s start from this morning when you arrived at work.”

“Fine,” she says, crossing her arms. “But let the record show that I ain’t done nothing.”

“Double negative. We know what that means, right, Molly?” Angela says.

“Stop!” yells Detective Stark. “You’re wasting time.” She sighs and puts her elbows on Mr.Snow’s desk, which only heightens my anxiety. “Cheryl, say something relevant—and fast,” the detective demands.

“When I got here this morning, I met Mr.Snow in the hallway outside of the housekeeping quarters,” Cheryl says. “He told me Molly wasn’t coming in, and I was thrilled to be Head Maid for the day.”

“I never said you were Head Maid,” Mr.Snow clarifies. “You assumed.”

“At least we know who puts the a-s-s in that word,” says Sunshine.

“Cheryl, please continue,” says Mr.Snow.

“I grabbed Molly’s trolley and made my way upstairs,” Cheryl says. “Then I—”

“Wait, why did you take Molly’s trolley instead of your own?” Stark asks.

“Molly wasn’t coming to work,” Cheryl replies with a shrug.

“That’s not why she took it,” says Lily. “Molly replenishes her trolley at the end of every shift.”

“And if there’s a shortcut,” Sunshine adds, “you can be sure Cheryl will find it.”

“What’s the big deal?” Cheryl says. “Fair and square, the maids all share.”

As she quotesA Maid’s Guide & Handbook,I officially want to join the bandwagon of colleagues lining up to throttle her.