Before I could even ask her a question, Petra spoke to me. "I thought you ran the bed and breakfast?" She seemed irritated, agitated as I struggled against the condescending tone in her voice and did my best not to match her grump for grump.

"Just helping out," I said, turning a little so the afternoon sunshine didn't blind me. Petra automatically moved with me, the badge around her neck identifying her as a sponsor. For Blackstone? No, wait. She worked for a company ...