by K Childs
No one wanted to answer the Duke’s question. It clung to the air, thick and poignant.
Lady Howard’s hands shook as she tried to drink her coffee. “I want no part in this. My husband is dead, Inspector; I’ll not house his killer.”
“Then help us catch them.”
“No, I want everyone out tonight!”
“Lady Howard.” Darrien placed his hand over hers, giving her that charming smile of his. “Please, help us. And at the very least it is the middle of the night; the ladies will be placed in great distress if they were to be forced out at such an hour.”
I didn’t say one of those ladies might be trying to kill him.
Lady Howard was in no way immune to his charms, and she squirmed a moment before she sighed and turned back to Ben and me. “Eleanor and Robert only came today after hearing the terrible news.”
“There isn’t much more we can do tonight. I suggest we retire to our rooms and await morning. Your Grace, I am afraid I will have to ask Ben to stay with you and ensure you do not fall asleep.”
Ben poured himself more coffee.
The men retired to the Duke’s room and I finished my coffee with Lady Howard. We had met once before at a Christmas party, but it had been a brief introduction amongst many.
She was a wreck. Her hair was knotted and her eyes red from crying. She sniffed periodically, and her hands shook.
“Just a few hours and we will remove from your house.”
She didn’t reply and I didn’t have anything else to give her, so I placed the cup in the sink for the kitchen staff and swept away to the room I’d been put in. I packed my suitcases and put on my spare uniform.
Then I went down to use the telephone in the foyer.
The phone rang once before the night Sergeant answered it, “Agency of Oneirology.”
“It is DI Beaumont here. I’m calling from Lord Howard’s residence. Is Chief Caudroy there?”
The sergeant sucked in a sharp breath. “Yes, I will wake him.”
It was never a good duty to have to wake a senior officer, but a necessary one in our line of work.
A few minutes later Caudroy picked up the phone.
I explained what had happened and the inescapable truth that one of the people in the house was trying to kill the Duke of Cardigan. Dragon or not, nothing outside of the house would have broken those wards. Breaking magic to keep someone in a place required proximity. Some rules of the universe were immutable.
Caudroy was less than joyful.
“I will send some constables over. Make sure you interview the suspects before they are sent away.”
The idea of interviewing Duchess Montagu a second time on this case soured in my mind. “Understood, sir.”
“Is there anything else it could be? I don’t believe much in guesswork, Detective.”
“Sir, I read a description of dragons anecdotally as a child. It is the only thing that comes close to matching what we saw in the Dreamscape.”
“It could have been a conjured image.”
“It broke through a ward circle with a single swipe of its claws.”
He made a noise.
Not many creatures capable of that sort of destruction. It was singularly impressive.
“I’ll see if I can dig up anything on them. At least a way to kill them,” I added.
If the dragon could become a gigantic creature outside of the Ether, I did not want to wrestle one.
I sat in the downstairs sitting room and poked the fireplace back to life.
It was prudent to send Ben to interview the Duchess. He was better at getting information from hard cases like her. She’d shown a dislike to me as quickly as her son had shown a liking. Ben might keep her calmer and more cooperative. A good chance the dislike was because of the Duke’s like for me.
I watched the dawn creep into the world, following a soft pastel pink and purple hue spreading across the horizon, the beauty of the creams and lavender reminded me of Charlie, and it brought a tear to my eye.
I was dabbing my face when the Duke reappeared. “Now I suppose it might be good morning, Rose.”
“I suppose it might.”
He didn’t comment on my handkerchief and I shoved it away.
“I will return to Cardigan where no one will be caught in the crossfire.”
I pressed my lips, considering this. “You think that wise?”
“I don’t think anything wise, but Sergeant Wallace told me that Lady Howard was almost hurt in the attack tonight. I shan’t risk making her son an orphan.”
I tended to agree. The widow and her son had seen enough violence and loss with Lord Howard’s death. “I cannot allow you to leave London alone with a murderer in tow.”
He gave me a cagey smile. “I should hope not, Inspector, I’m but a meek Duke of the Crown. I shall have to hope the constabulary can protect me.”
I smiled. “I might be a woman, but I’m capable enough, Darrien.”
“I don’t doubt it!” The Duke chuckled. “You’re as fierce as my mother!”
I wasn’t sure that was a compliment.
He sat down in one of the armchairs and gazed out the window, “I find it curious that there is no Mister Beaumont in your life, a woman of your age.”
I didn’t have a good reply to that. “My mother has long given up nagging and I’ve long given up looking.”
Darrien chuckled. “I suppose the job is a deterrent to most suitors.”
There were other factors that contributed but it was the biggest barrier. I inclined my chin. “The rain looks like it will stop today.”
He followed my gaze to the window. “I expect so.”
We didn’t speak for so long that the silence became awkward.
Ben saved us by appearing in his uniform with a pot of tea. It was moments like this that reminded me why I didn’t get angry with Ben’s casual friendship. He was more a friend than a subordinate.
The house came to life after dawn broke the London sky. Lady Howard summoned everyone to breakfast. Her son, barely eight, he sat beside her with a dejected, mournful gaze that kept slipping to the seat at the head of the table.
Lady Elizabeth Winchester was a beauty of golden locks and blue eyes. She was in possession of a generous bosom, delicate lace around the edges of her dark cerulean dress, and she ate her toast and sardines with a dainty charm and dimples in smooth cheeks. The epitome of good breeding and no surprise she was engaged to the Duke. Her manner was calm and concerned for Lady Howard, although not doting. She reminded me of a swan basking in sunlight. Darrien called her Lisa as an affectionate nickname. The Winchester family owned considerable fortunes in several companies and even stock in the oil business. The lifestyle afforded by her income rumoured that she was richer than the King.
Her companion, Lady Innsford, was plain, with a shy smile and simple clothing. Her family was probably falling on hard times since the land taxes and didn’t know how to deal with it. A lot of nobility were finding it hard to maintain these days. Mary Innsford persisted; her clothing was worn but well taken care of and she took pains to keep it that way. Her face was youthful and full of emotion. A good companion to the elegant grace of Elizabeth. She spared Ben and I a greeting, elevating my opinion of the woman.
Ian Alston, whom I had met in his room, was about the same age as the Duke, and if Ben had not told me there was bad blood between them, I would not have believed it to see them interact. They clasped hands, chuckled at an old joke and sat down like school-chums. Alston observed Ben and my presence, twirling his moustache with clear signs of nerves.
I was seated beside Lady Innsford and had the pleasure of seeing her stiffen when the Duchess Montagu entered the room. I was pleased that the unpleasant woman didn’t just affect me.
“Lady Howard, what a lovely breakfast,” Anne Montagu announced. Her face was brewing with a storm, any fool could see it, but Lady Howard was made of iron itself.
The Duchess sat.
“Not at all, my darling,” Eleanor Bruce waved a paw of her cat from my other side. She was a big woman with a healthy appetite and a lazy white-faced cat that draped itself around her shoulders. I paid her no attention save formalities as she was not on my list of suspects.
“I intend we should return to Cardigan today,” Darrien spoke quickly, taking control of the conversation. “I have already told Lady Howard of my intention; I have business on the estate that cannot wait.”
A good cover. I didn’t think the Duchess was buying it, however.
“So suddenly?” Lady Winchester questioned. “Mary and I had hoped to go shopping in London.”
“There are urgent matters that cannot wait, Lisa. We will all be boarding the lunch-time flight.”
“Are you coming as well, Lady Howard?” Mary Innsford asked.
“No.” Lady Howard shook her head. “That would be impossible.”
The Duchess looked relieved at this and buttered her toast. She and Lady Howard were supposed to be old friends according to Ben’s gossip. Where was the pressure between them coming from? I didn’t know either woman well, but they seemed at odds with one another.
“Lady Howard has funeral arrangements to make.” Darrien added, “She needs space.”
“Well now, fresh country air sounds like a great idea,” Robert Carfax told them. “I’m only sad I can’t fly out of London myself. But you go where the stories are and for now, that means right here for me.”
“Well Mary and I can stay in London and re-join you in a few days,” Lady Winchester spoke again after a few moments.
“Oh, Lisa, I don’t know if I want to stay without protection,” Mary said.
“Nonsense, nothing in London would dare harm elegant ladies such as yourselves,” Carfax told them.
“I won’t have either of you stay, Lisa, Mary. Your fathers would skin me,” Darrien snapped.
“It won’t be a problem once you’re married, Darrien,” The Duchess said.
I finished my toast.
“I’m sorry we weren’t introduced yesterday.” Lady Innsford turned to me. “You must be investigating Lord Howard’s death.”
“I am sorry for intruding on your breakfast, Lady Innsford. I will need to conduct some interviews after we finish eating.” I swallowed hard and tried my damnedest not to speak indelicately.
“Of course. I don’t know how much help I can be, but please ask me anything.”
I warmed to her. At least someone at the table was reasonable.
“Mother, please. Eat your breakfast and we will discuss this later.”
The Duchess settled in to eat and the house staff poured more tea for everyone.
I followed Lady Winchester to her room and sent Ben to try and interview the Duchess. The advantage of being in charge meant I didn’t have to do the unsavoury duty myself. I didn’t envy him the task, but someone had to do it and I was the boss. Cowardly, but mainly to spare the Duchess from my own wrath. If she riled me up enough, I’d have thrown her in the pen overnight.
Lisa packed her own suitcase, curious.
I hovered near the window as she moved about, “Lady Winchester, I’d like to ask a few questions to help with the investigation into Lord Howard’s death.”
“The Duchess told me it was a robbery gone wrong.”
“That may be her interpretation.”
She looked at me sharply then, clearly understanding the meaning. “Well then, ask your questions, Inspector.”
“Did you know Lord Howard well?”
“I’m afraid not as well as I ought. He’s Darrien’s friend from school. I’ve stayed here a dozen times over the years but frankly, I found David a little boring. He oversleeps and runs off to the Yard. I barely saw him. I did go on a hunting trip once when we were in country; but that was years ago.”
“How did he and His Grace get on?”
“Famously. They were bosom buddies. Attached at the hip, through the War as well, you know.”
“How would you describe your relationship with the Duke?”
She stiffened. “I don’t see how that has to do with David’s murder. You think Darrien even capable of harming someone?”
“His Grace has indicated that things were strained between you. Is that something that you agree with?” She didn’t look like the sort of woman who would kill a man for failing to marry her; but then, who did look like that? It was a rude question, but I needed to dig.
“Darrien has always been resistant to settling down.” She stopped packing, giving me a stern look. “But he will come around eventually. He doesn’t have a choice.”
I wanted to ask about her emotional involvement, but I was prying. “I know these questions must seem rather rude, but I am trying to establish a measure of the Duke’s character, Lady Winchester.”
“That much is plain. Darrien is a strong Animancer. I’m sure he could have beaten Lord Howard in a fight if he had wished it. But they were friends. I don’t see why they would fight. If anything, Darrien is the best of men to have as a friend. Even Ian has forgiven him after their tiff.”
“Earl Alston and His Grace had a fight?” I knew that already, but I needed more information. Ian Alston was shaping up to be my only man with motive. I wanted to ensure I understood it. I couldn’t accuse the Earl with flimsy evidence.
“Somewhat,” she demurred.
I wasn’t getting more about it yet, so I changed tactics. “How did you sleep that night?”
“I’m sorry to say I slept well. I was up talking late with Lady Innsford. We had a lot to discuss.” Lady Innsford? It seemed rather formal to call her best friend.
I left her to her packing; I doubted I would get much more from her.
At least I would see if I could find out what the story was between Darrien and Ian Alston.
The Earl answered my knock on his door after a bit of fussing. He had a stack of books under his arm.
“What do you want? I’m being thrown out on the street, I should think that affords me some privacy to pack.”
“I am sorry, Lord Alston, but I must ask a few questions for the murder investigation.”
He smoothed his moustache and grunted. “Fine. But I doubt I can be much use. I was asleep in my bed. Just like the rest of the house.”
I stepped into his room, following him. “Did you know Lord Howard well?”
“I was his friend from our days at Eton.”
“And His Grace?” I was trying to be subtle, but I failed.
“Montagu told you about that, eh? I’m not surprised. A man surrounded by women can be such a gossip.” Alston shook his head. “Well if I was going to kill anyone, it would be Darrien. He’s a sanctimonious cad. That’s all I’ll say. You can print it.”
I’d not expected him to say that. “I’m an officer of the law, Lord Alston, not a member of the press.”
Was he so confident in his safety that he didn’t fear blurting something like that out? It wasn’t the move of a smart killer. Alston didn’t strike me as an ideal candidate for being a dragon in disguise.
“Same bloody thing where women are concerned. Though if you want a suspect, I would be looking at Lady Winchester.”
Arse.
“His Grace’s fiancée?”
“There was no love lost between those two. If she thought she might get away with it, I’ve little doubt the fox would kill Lord Howard. She’s not a child any longer and I would wager well sick of Darrien stringing her along. Her father would let her negotiate her own marriage to Darrien’s brother Cecil if Darrien hadn’t been promised first. Howard called her on it the night he was killed.”
That sounded like good motive to me. “Called her on it?”
“They were arguing. Howard was telling her to ma
rry Cecil and stop coming around, following the Duke like a hawk.”
“Why?”
“Erm, well Darrien likes the ladies in London. Elizabeth follows him to town to ensure he doesn’t…”
Right.
“Did anyone else hear this argument?”
“I expect half the house heard it. Howard did not hide his frustration about it. Though Howard seemed the sort that wanted to force the issue because he did hate scandal.”
What little I knew of the man, it fit.
“Lady Winchester indicated that she and Howard barely spoke,” I posed.
Alston shrugged. “She’s a fox.”
“How did you sleep the night before last?”
“Terrible.”
“Can you tell me why?”
“I’m under a great deal of stress at the moment. Being questioned about a murder is hardly helping.”
“I notice you have a Tenebrologist’s signet on your collars.”
“I studied it, a little. Why do you ask?”
“The killer may have used some Tenebrology.” The dragon had been wreathed in shadows akin to a Tenebrologist’s cloak. Alston wasn’t looking good for the murder. But if he was the killer, he was too open, too sure of himself. My gut didn’t like him for it.
He snorted and finished packing. “Any more questions? You want to know about my investments in the steamworks?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time for that, and you’ve told me most of what I want to know.”
He shook his head and waved me out. Apparently, I was dismissed.
I closed the door, considering dragging him into the station just because he annoyed me. Darrien’s charm didn’t rub off on the other members of his house.
I found Mary Innsford downstairs, already packed and waiting for the Duke’s party in the parlour. Her bags were old, well worn. The style, I noted, built to last, worth some money many years ago, but the leather was peeling on one corner and bore the crease of restitching across the other. She was sewing: a handkerchief, it seemed.
“Lady Innsford, might I have a moment of your time?”
“Of course, please, join me.” She shifted over on the settee, making room.
Closing the door of the small parlour, the light from outside still filtered through the large bay windows. I sat on a stuffed cushion and moved it around a little to make room. I tried a smile. It probably looked more like a grimace, but she smiled back.