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knife.
    Benson turned his sharp eyes on Cecil, who was surprised to see the look aimed at him. "If you hadn't scared her she wouldn't have been listening at us."
    Cecil raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"
    "Yes," Benson firmly responded.
    Uncle Cecil was taken aback by Benson's quick reply. He glanced between us, me still wiggling and quivering in Benson's strong grasp. The pale man was stronger than he looked, even with all the muscles I'd seen. A smirk curled onto Cecil's lips. "I see."
    Benson didn't like that look; neither did I. There was a hint of lecherousness in it. "What do you see?" Benson asked him.
    "I see that I shouldn't be intruding any longer," Cecil added. He stepped back and gave us both a deep bow. "I can see three's a crowd in this house, and wish you, Benson, happy hunting."
    I was perplexed by his dramatic change in attitude and Benson was angry, but Cecil swept outside before either of us could stop him. We raced onto the porch and were in time to see Cecil drive by the front of the house and wave to us. I weakly waved back, but Benson scowled at his uncle long after the car had driven out of sight. I glanced over to him. "Any idea what he was talking about just now?"
    "Just the foolish prattle of an old man..." Benson grumbled. He stomped back inside and I scampered after him. He strode down the hall to the study, and I took it as a good sign when he didn't slam the door in my face. Instead I followed him inside and found myself surrounded by old shelves full of older books. There was a large desk opposite the door that sat in front of large paned windows. They were covered in thick black cloth, but that didn't dampen the effect of their size behind the person who sat behind the desk. There was also a world globe so large I could have set myself on its top and spun around; I promised myself a ride on it later if I wasn't fired on the spot.
    "I'm really sorry about eavesdropping on you. I didn't mean to do any harm," I apologized.
    Benson plopped down into his large leather chair and sighed; he gestured to the one opposite him on the other side of the desk. I gulped big enough to swallow a small lake and sat down. "How much did you overhear?" he asked me. I couldn't tell if he was angry, annoyed, or constipated.
    I sank down into the chair. "Everything?" I squeaked out.
    He leaned back in his chair and stared at me for several minutes without speaking. The wheels behind those sky-blue eyes turned as he decided my fate; to toss my curious ass out or not to toss my curious ass out. Finally he sighed and ran his hand down his face. "What trouble these last few days have been..." he murmured to himself.
    "You're telling me," I quipped.
    Benson glanced up at me through his fingers and raised an eyebrow. "I do wonder after that transgression how much I can tell you, Angel," he countered.
    My heart sank to the bottom of the Marianas Trench; I hated disappointing people when it really was my fault. "I'm sorry, I really am. I was just so worried about losing this job and my college bills that I guess I just-"
    "You go to college?" he interrupted me.
    Apparently I'd forgotten to mention that part to him. "Yes."
    He was surprised and pleased by this information; he wouldn't have been if he knew my grades and debt. "What subjects are you studying?"
    "Geology. Some guy gave me a rock one time for Halloween instead of candy, and I thought it was pretty cool so I've been interested in them ever since," I replied.
    "That must be difficult to manage, the work at the diner and your classes," he wondered.
    I shrugged. "I get along." For now.
    "Is that why you accepted my offer of a position? To help pay for your college?" he asked me.
    I sheepishly smiled. "Maybe?" He smiled and looked at me with newfound admiration; I had to keep my grades hidden from him, but first I needed a final answer to the question of my job. "Before I spill out my life story could you tell me if I still have a job here"
    "That would entirely be up