by Mark Hayden
‘There has been a murder here,’ said Raven. ‘A life taken before its time. We cannot just walk away. Conrad would like to talk to one of us. He is willing to guarantee her safety with his own life.’
They didn’t need to ask which of their number I was interested in because Eseld was staring at her mother with pure hatred in her eyes. Isolde was staring at the floor.
Alys moved slightly to the side, with Zoe, and it was Georgia who stepped up to confront Raven. Georgia hadn’t spoken to me since the helicopter flight yesterday, and had been placed on an all-female table last night.
‘No, Raven,’ said Georgia. ‘We are not going to hand over one of the Daughters of the Goddess to a Witchfinder and your little tart.’
In the silence of the pre-dawn, the rattle of a diesel engine heralded the arrival of their coach. I scanned the group, looking for threats and to make sure they were all there. They were. Half way down the stairs, Erin was keeping three eyes on the proceedings – her own two and the camera on her phone.
‘Grow up and remember who you are,’ said Georgia to Raven.
Georgia had been on Raven’s side in the battle to replace Hedda. What had changed? Was it Georgia we should be interviewing and not Isolde?
‘I’m not going to trade insults with you,’ said Raven. ‘The days of the Witchfinders are long gone. Let Conrad and Mina do their job. I know who I am.’
The diesel engine outside died, and silence crept back over the hall. Everyone shifted slightly in anticipation of the next move.
Georgia stood taller, and she was only just getting started. ‘I beg to differ. You are the 1st of Ash Coven in the Homewood of Glastonbury. It is your job to lead and to protect us, not to kowtow to the Witchfinder and his mundane whore.’
Mina’s face remained impassive at this tirade, but her right hand moved first to her left arm and then it hitched up her tunic. She had turned side on so that none of the Daughters could see her gun.
Her first movement had told me that magick was being done even before I felt the temperature rise. Just to show he was still there and on his mettle, Scout gave a low growl. I sighed inside: Raven had done what I asked; it was over to me.
I tried to speak conversationally. ‘Isolde, are you going to let this go any further? Eseld could die if you do. Come with us and we can sort this out. Cador can advise you. Mina will watch as an officer of the court.’
The pain on Isolde’s face when she looked up was awful to behold. ‘I can’t leave the Daughters,’ she said. ‘I can’t break my vows.’ She turned to Raven. ‘Order me, and I will go gladly. Whatever the consequences.’
Every eye turned to Raven. She seemed to grow even larger under the spotlight, relishing the attention and even striking a pose. She fished her Goddess braid from behind her head and stroked the densely bound hair. ‘Go, sister. The Goddess will walk by your side.’
I was holding my breath, and I wasn’t alone. With simple dignity, Isolde separated herself from the Witches and crossed to stand next to Mina.
Alys let out a venomous hiss of air and moved in front of Georgia, barely an arm’s length from Raven. She craned back her head and said, ‘It is not for me to question the actions of a First Daughter, but you will answer to the three Covens for what you have done.’
Raven’s face seemed to shut down for a second, all life disappearing from her eyes. She blinked, and then she grinned. ‘I’ll get back to you on that one. Now off you go, Alys.’ She moved away from the door. ‘Don’t let me stand in your way.’
The Daughters had brought their luggage with them down the staircase, and the principal players had dropped theirs before the drama. Alys left her sister to pick up the bags and walked out of the hall. The others followed her, and only Cordelia stopped to acknowledge Raven. They spoke for a few seconds with Raven’s head bent and a neat Silence around them. They clasped hands, and Cordelia left with tears forming in her eyes.
It was only when the engine started up again that Raven realised that they were going without her. She shook herself and drifted away from the door. When she looked around the hall (which she’s seen many times), there was an openness in her eyes that spoke of new beginnings.
‘Were you filming that, little Enscriber?’
Erin went white and retreated a couple of steps up the staircase. With a shock, I realised that we weren’t alone. Three girls and two boys had joined the audience on the gallery. I recognised them as live-in staff. Oh dear. We’d have real problems soon if I wasn’t careful.
Erin stopped recording. ‘I’m really really sorry. I’ll delete it right away.’
‘Don’t you dare!’ boomed Raven in a beautiful contralto. ‘Share it with me now.’
‘And me,’ I added.
Jane Kershaw came back in and looked from Raven to Eseld and then to me. She spoke to all of us at once. ‘Forgive me. Please. Several of the household staff were woken by the noise, here and out there. I’ve told all of them to come to the hall in twenty minutes. I haven’t said anything about what’s happened.’
I looked up at the gallery. ‘Too late for that, but thanks, Jane. Someone will be along to brief them.’
‘So no chance of breakfast yet?’ said Raven.
‘There’s coffee in the kitchen,’ I replied. I paused to let that sink in, and went up to her. ‘Thank you for what you did. I am in your debt. And now, if you’ll excuse us…’ I put my hand out and felt her power when we shook.
I turned my back on the giant Witch and spoke to Erin. ‘Could you get down to the sitting room and brief Saffron. Send Cador to Lord Mowbray’s study.’
‘Right.’
‘Jane, could you lead the way? I suspect the door will be locked.’
I made sure that Isolde was between Mina and myself, away from her daughter, as we followed Jane into the morning room and waited for her to unlock the study door. I could have asked Eseld to do it, but I needed to manoeuvre her into a corner. Not back her into a corner, but lead her gently.
Jane pushed the door open and stood aside. Mina went in, with Isolde following silently. At the last moment, I pivoted and blocked the doorway. ‘You and I are going for a smoke,’ I said to Eseld. ‘While Isolde talks to Cador.’
She looked around and decided not to make a scene here. I could see Raven still standing in the hall, unsure of what to do now she’d made her grand gesture. ‘Let’s show Raven the way to the kitchen and get some coffee.’
I was glad that it was still cold, or the sweat running down my back would be soaking through my uniform. Since the Spirit of Mowbray had dragged me awake, every step has felt like a tightrope walk, and there’s no safety net. In fact, I could distinctly smell brimstone coming up from below.
‘This way,’ I said to Raven. I took the shortcut through the staff entrance to the kitchens. A couple of the young staff had already migrated down here and started to get food out of the store rooms. I thought that Raven and Eseld might have something to say to each other on the way down. It seems not. Either that or they didn’t want to talk in front of Jane Kershaw. I checked my watch: fifteen minutes to the staff briefing.
We stopped by the coffee machines. While I poured, I said to Raven, ‘Have you lived all your life in Homewood?’
‘Apart from the Rumspringa.’
‘Sorry?’
‘We borrowed the word from the Amish. Or they borrowed it from us. You have to leave the grove for at least a year between adolescence and taking the cord. I didn’t just go to Spain on an exchange visit, I went back for a longer trip. And other places outside Albion. Thanks for the coffee. I think I’ll take it down to the dock.’
‘If you find Michael or any of his family standing around, tell them to come up to the hall.’
‘And where are we going?’ said Eseld.
‘Outside front. Bit of privacy there.’
It was also cold outside. Very cold in the final pre-dawn darkness. We could barely see each other in the light leaking from a few windows.
‘Well?’ said Eseld when we’d lit our cigarettes.
‘Why did Georgia call you Raven’s tart?’
‘Is that relevant?’
I didn’t answer, and let her decide for herself.
‘Same sex relationships are allowed but not encouraged in the Daughters,’ she said. ‘When I was thirteen, Raven and I exchanged promise rings. It was no promise for me, because I was under age, but Raven promised to wait three years. Three years is a long time when you’re seventeen and horny. I left before we consummated anything.’
The mathematics were obvious: Eseld had lost her Familiar and broken with her mother during that period. It was also obvious that some of the Daughters blamed Raven and Eseld for what had happened.
I nodded to show that I’d taken what she’d said seriously. ‘Mina and I are going to interview Isolde. You can’t be there. She may be completely innocent.’
‘She may not have killed my father, but she’s as guilty as sin, Conrad.’
‘What if she is innocent of Lord Mowbray’s murder? Do you want to let the real culprit off the hook?’
She looked down. ‘No.’ With her head still bowed, she continued. ‘If Isolde took my father’s life, you won’t stop me taking vengeance.’
‘Not on my own, no, but with Saffron and Raven’s help I will.’
‘Do you think Raven will side with you over me?’
‘So long as she wears the cord, yes she will. She’s already proved that.’
Eseld looked up and looked away, down towards the dock. ‘Perhaps. Probably. We’ll see.’
It was good enough.
‘Then finish your coffee and go to your family. Tell Ethan to make the announcement to the staff, if he hasn’t already started planning for it.’
I left her there and went back into the mansion. Another step taken on the tightrope. If only I could see where it led, it would be a lot easier.
38 — Accidental
Mina was waiting outside Mowbray’s study. We held our four hands together for a moment, just to recharge ourselves. Mina held on a little longer because her hands are always colder than mine.
‘Do we have to prepare for a siege?’ she said.
‘Perhaps. Probably not. If Isolde is guilty, I’m not making any announcements unless Raven is standing next to me.’
‘That will do wonders for my self-esteem. I have just watched Erin’s video, and from that angle, I actually look like a child next to you and Raven. All you can see is my long hair and pink trainers.’
A horrible thought struck me. A truly horrible thought. I called Erin and said, ‘Do you want to carry on being my tenant?’
‘Eh? What?’
‘If you do, then you’ll use your skills to edit that video and cover up my bald patch before you send it to the Boss.’
There was a pause. ‘Are you being serious?’
‘Baldness is not a laughing matter.’
There was another silence. I think Erin may have been talking to Saffron with the mute button pressed. She came back on the line and said, ‘Yes it is,’ and then she disconnected.
‘Do you feel better for that?’ said Mina, hands on hips.
I grinned. ‘Yes. It’s important that the troops know their CO has a sense of humour. Shall we dance with Isolde?’
She nodded her not yet nod. ‘You forget that I have been interviewed, at length, by trained detectives. You are not a detective, Conrad. Your tactics may not work in there.’
‘Are you saying that you want to lead the interview?’
‘Mmm. Yes.’
‘Then let’s get on with it.’
I knocked on the door and pushed it open. Mina had already set things up by putting Cador and Isolde on one side of the conference table with two empty chairs on the other. Mina slid into the chair opposite Isolde and told me to get some paper and a pen.
While I ferreted around in Mowbray’s desk, Isolde and Cador looked confused and Mina pushed her hair firmly behind her ears. While they were still off balance, she began.
‘Isolde, 9th of Willow, you are being interviewed on suspicion of murder. Were you ever married to Lord Mowbray under mundane law?’
Cador sprang into life. ‘My mother would like to make a statement,’ he began.
Mina waved her hand in front of him as if she were waving a fly away from her cooking. ‘You are not a criminal lawyer, Mr Mowbray, and PACE does not apply here. The sooner your mother answers our questions, the sooner we can move on.’
Mowbray’s desk wasn’t locked (unlike the cupboard with the crowns in it, I imagine). I had to root around most of the drawers until I found a pen and paper. I judged this the moment to place the stationery in front of Mina and take my seat next to her. That made Cador pause, and it allowed Mina to pick up the pen and say, ‘Were you married under mundane law?’
‘Yes,’ said Isolde.
The flame of pride I have inside me for Mina grew a little brighter. She’d got Isolde to answer on her terms, not Cador’s. I tried not to let it show in my face and looked down at the folder I’d also found in Mowbray’s desk. While no one was looking at me, I sneaked a look inside.
‘And divorced?’ said Mina.
‘Yes. I had to renounce everything to join the Daughters, including all claims on the Mowbray Estate. My children were written into its terms at birth, so I knew they’d be protected.’
‘Thank you. Prior to the conference earlier this month, did you have any contact with Lord Mowbray or any member of his family, or anyone connected to him?’
Isolde shifted in her seat. ‘Over what period?’
‘This year.’
She shook her head. ‘No. Only Cador.’ She looked at her son. ‘How often?’
‘Three times this year,’ he said. ‘My birthday, your birthday and Mother’s Day.’
She looked at her unvarnished fingernails. ‘Of course.’
‘You are a Guardian,’ said Mina. ‘Is that your main role in Homewood?’
Isolde shrugged. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’
‘Try me.’
‘No, I meant that it’s a whole way of life. It would take hours to explain it properly.’
‘But you trained in offensive magick?’
Isolde frowned. ‘All Mages do. I just took it a bit further, and being a Homewood Guardian is mostly ceremonial, and there’s one of us in each Coven. I met Rick James a couple of times. Compared to me, he’s like a Terminator.’
That was interesting. In my opinion, anyway. Mina was pursuing a different strategy.
‘How did you come to be in Willow Coven?’ she said.
‘Each Coven chooses its own members. I was told that I’d be looked on favourably when there was a vacancy in Willow.’
Mina had been writing something down. She looked up sharply. ‘By whom?’
‘It was Zoe, actually. Verity is 1st of Willow, so she made the final decision.’
‘I see. And how did you end up in the Daughters’ conference party?’
According to Eseld, it had been Hedda’s decision. I held my breath while Isolde answered.
She shrugged, a big one that lifted her palms almost to the level of the table. ‘I don’t know. Georgia was the one who told me, but she didn’t make the decisions, and I didn’t ask.’
Mina put down her pen. ‘And how did you feel?’
Isolde blushed for the first time. ‘Like I’d won the lottery. Turns out my ticket was a forgery.’
‘Tell me, in as much detail as you can, what happened after you left the house to go to prayers last night.’
Isolde took a moment to gather her thoughts. ‘I was at the back, because I stopped to ask Jane if there was any chance of hot chocolate.’ Mina thought that was noteworthy. ‘We prayed, we made the sacrifice of Lux and we returned to the guest quarters.’ She looked at Mina. ‘If you didn’t know, we always process and return in silence. Jane and one of the boys brought the hot chocolate. We needed it after last night. It wasn’t warm out there.’
‘Who did you talk to?’
‘No one, really. Everyone was still full of what Arthur had done. We all sort-of whispered about who was going to be staff king. I didn’t really join in.’
‘Why not?’
Isolde put her hands on the table. ‘Because I thought I’d missed my chance to see my daughter. I knew that Eseld wouldn’t come to wave us off in the morning. I’m fifty-five years old, Miss Desai, and I cried myself to sleep last night. If you can believe that.’
Mina put her head on one side. ‘I can believe it. Did you sleep at all?’
‘Yes. When I finally dropped off, that was it. The next thing I knew, the Wards had been triggered and you were standing in the corridor with that Enscriber girl.’
‘You heard nothing out of the ordinary?’
‘Nothing. Not even Raven snoring in the distance.’ It was a weak attempt at humour, but it was an attempt. Isolde put her hand on Cador’s. ‘My children have lost their father. It was nothing to do with me.’
Mina tapped her pen on the table, then looked at me. We locked eyes and both shook our heads by a millimetre: Isolde was innocent. Of this crime, anyway.
‘Is there anything you need to know?’ Mina asked me.
‘Yes. Before Raven blotted her copybook in the main hall, who was winning the race to become Eldest Daughter?’
Isolde frowned. ‘Is that important?’
I sat back. Cador knew his mother was off the hook and couldn’t help intervening. ‘This is the point where the Witchfinder tells you that he decides what’s important, Mum. You don’t have to answer that.’
Mina pointed her pen at Cador’s chest. ‘Yes she does, and if you refer to the Watch Captain in that way again, you’ll be in trouble. And don’t plead irony.’
It was his turn to flush red. ‘I might not go riding or have a wardrobe full of fancy dress costumes, but Eseld isn’t the only one who’s lost their father.’
Mina was about to lose it, so I sat forward again and put my elbow on the table in front of her. ‘Isolde? The race for the throne?’
She tried to laugh. ‘There is no throne. Before last night, I’d have said Raven had it sewn up. Did you hear our row before we went to prayers.’