Chapter 24

I was awake the following morning when Ode came into the bedroom. I had questions and he wasn’t getting away without answering.

“Sit down and share coffee with me. I insist,” I said it with a touch of command.

“I do not drink coffee,” he told me gruffly.

“Do you drink tea?” I asked.

“Herbal. Your garden provides the leaves.” His tone held belligerence now.

I smiled, refusing to give in to his perpetually sour mood.

“Please have some delivered and you can drink tea while I have coffee.” He gave me a hard stare, but I wasn’t dissuaded or intimidated. “I have questions,” I told him. “I’ll go crazy if I’m not entertained.”

“I delivered two boxes of books. They are in the back corner.” He nodded toward the other room.

“It’s a start but I also wish for stimulating company. Someone who can answer my questions.”

“I am not at liberty to answer them.” His tone was tight. He wasn’t happy to be put on the spot.

I ignored what he said because he didn’t know what the questions were.

“When was the o