Vivian seemed like a quiet girl, almost like someone who I could trust. I resisted that feeling; I doubted I would trust anyone ever again. She, too, was likely involved in some scheme to rip me off or worse.

She was also surprisingly old to be my brother's step-daughter. II would have to ask Mother about that next time we spoke.

Pulling my eyes away from the strange girl, I fixed my stare on Christmas, expression darkening. "No, I'm not going to let you in," I said, "Mother does not have the right to invite people into my house. Especially not shady characters like you. I know you're planning something, so you won't be taking me by surprise. Whatever you try is not going to work, and I am not going to give you access to my home to help your little scheme along! So you better tell me what you're really doing here!" I doubted he would say a thing about his plans, of course. But it seemed no one was truly on my side, so this was my only way of finding out.