by Andy Coffey
***
‘Any luck yet?’ Cracky said, rushing back into the palace after a futile search of the grounds.
‘No, nothing at all,’ Olaf said, his face etched with worry.
They had been looking for nearly three hours and it was now well after midnight. In the drawing room, Roisin was still tearful and was being consoled by Mara and Agnar. Aiden, Smid and Grundi had just reappeared after an equally futile search of the palace. Vindy and Tikky had been placed on a large, oak sideboard by the wall.
‘Who’s reported back?’ Cracky asked.
‘Oriana, Cliff and the lads from Mr Morningmilker’s farm did a thorough search of the road from here to the bridge but found nothing. They’ve taken Charles home now, but they said they’d come back first thing in the morning,’ Mara said.
‘What about Oldfart and Mr Kneepatcher?’
‘We haven’t heard anything from them, and they’ve been gone for quite a while.’
‘Harold and Greta?’
‘They’re still searching the south side of the palace and the grounds. They should be back shortly.’
As if on cue, they appeared at the door. ‘I’m sorry, but we can’t find a trace of her,’ Harold said.
Roisin went to Olaf and embraced him. ‘I’m so sorry. If only I’d listened to my inner voice. It was screaming at me that there was something wrong with those two.’
Olaf held her tightly and planted a kiss on top of her head. ‘It’s not your fault, Roisin; you have no reason to blame yourself. You weren’t the only one who was fooled by them, whoever they are.’
‘I strongly suspect that I know the identity of the Queen’s abductors,’ Cracky said. ‘But I’ll need to bring someone along in the morning to verify my theory.’
‘What do you mean?’ Aiden said.
‘Prince Theo reached into your mind the other day, without you being aware, my friend. It turns out that Mr Breezy and Mr Waft were actually two of Blacktie’s spies.’
All eyes turned to Cracky upon hearing Blacktie’s name. Grundi drew in a sharp breath and Agnar crossed his arms defiantly. Olaf clenched his big hands into fists. ‘So you think that the two “Feng Shui gentlemen” are Mr Breezy and Mr Waft?’ Roisin said.
‘Well, they aren’t their really names, but, yes. If it’s the two names mentioned by Theo then they are masters of disguise. We’ll need him to probe your mind tomorrow, Roisin. Then at least we’ll be able to confirm one way or the other.’
‘I’ll do whatever is necessary,’ said Roisin, wiping the last of today’s tears from her eyes.