I wasn’t quite finished with the story I was telling by the time 2025 ended and so decided to continue it until it reached an ending point. Then I will start a new one. Besides, I kind of want to see where Penelope ends up. And so we have…
Day 213: She looked to Michaelson.
She looked to Michaelson. He smiled. “I have actually, although I wouldn’t exactly call it an invasion.”
Delia crossed her arms over her chest. “And what would you call it?” She asked. There was a steely glint in her eyes. “A strange woman camped out in my living room attempting to break into the locked portions of my home?”
Mrs. Merriweather gasped dramatically. “They didn’t.”
“She did,” Delia replied. “Tried anyway.” Delia favored them with a tight smile. “She only managed to get into the spaces I deliberately didn’t lock down. Although I am not entirely certain how they got in those without permission.”
“It seems she had permission,” Michaelson said. “In a loophole sort of way.”
“Explain,” Delia demanded.
“Well you hired a company to look after your plants while you were gone,” Michaelson said.
“Once a week watering. It’s why I moved all the plants to the living room and lined them up in front of the big window.” She pointed upwards. They all looked. Penelope guessed Delia’s house was set up the same way as hers with the big window leading into the living room.
“I locked down everything else so they could only get to the living room to water. I didn’t expect someone to be camped out on my couch.”
“It was a loophole. The employee detailed to water your plants was paid to let someone else do the watering. As long as Marriana watered your plants when she entered the house the house considere it part of the contract.”
Delia blinked at Agent Michaelson.
“That would work,” Mrs. Merriweather said slowly. Delia looked at her, a frown pinching her lips together. Mrs. Merriweather shrugged. “It is dastardly, but the protections would see it as a loophole.”
“So when I go out of town my plants will all die, excellent.” Delia said.
“Could you set a time limit on how long they can be in the house or maybe designate only a specific person,” Penelope asked. Everyone looked at her and she felt her face heat. “I don’t exactly know how these things work,” she added.
“It is an excellent suggestion,” Delia said. She sighed. “It was just easier and more convenient if I designate the company rather than the specific employee in case they have to change them out. Not that I am using that company again. The time limit is a good thing as well. It would have at least prevented this Marianna from sleeping on my couch.”
“So why exactly was she here?” Ms. Merriweather said. “Was she trying to steal Delia’s salt and pepper shaker collection?”
“I’ll have you know some of those hold great sentimental value to me,” Delia sniffed.
“I’m sure,” Mrs. Merriweather replied. “But I can’t imagine the street value is that great.”
“I believe she wanted to enter your library,” Michaelson said when it looked as though the two women were going to get into an argument about the street value of novelty salt and pepper shakers.
“My library?” Delia replied. “What was she looking for?”
Michaelson ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
Ten til Midnight 