Mrs. Parker’s residence was always impeccably arranged..

.... an old mansion on the outskirts of town, one that looked like it belonged to another era. Inside, the scent of old books and lavender filled the air. She preferred it that way, a reminder of things past, things never spoken of aloud. She didn’t entertain often, but when she did, it was always under the pretense of some mundane affair—an afternoon tea, a book club meeting. Yet, there was always something more beneath the surface, something waiting to be uncovered.