Salmon with asparagus in hollandaise was served – except to Karen. On Karen’s plate lay a piece of unsauced salmon half the size of the others accompanied by two stalks of plain asparagus. Delia gaped as Karen’s shaking fork moved toward her mouth carrying a tiny flake of salmon.
Delia rearranged her face into a masque of untroubled blandness. Had Michael drugged her friend? Was he abusing her in some inexplicable manner? Karen seemed so strange. What had Michael done to her? And why were her parents going along with it so quietly? Her glance quickly swept Karen’s father. She’d never seen him act so cowed. Something was going on and she was determined to find out what. She was also determined to help her friend.
Her attention was distracted by Michael. Throughout the meal, he and Emeline
