5
Wren didn’t sleep for long. She awoke as soon as they arrived at the palace. Doors opened and slammed shut, and Mr. Gabriel opened hers while the driver opened Sybelle’s side.
Eyes popping open, Wren straightened and looked up at their lawyer. His own eyes were dark and concerned.
“Princess, are you all right?”
“Yes,” Wren told him. She blinked a few times to clear the fuzziness. Covering a yawn, she wiped her eyes and swung her feet out the door.
“I can help you,” he said, reaching out and holding onto her arm to help her out.
Biting her lip, Wren kept from denying his assistance. She took a deep breath and stood. The agony didn’t rip through her brain, so she thought that was a good sign.
“Diolch,” she told him.
Queen Sybelle met them and took Wren’s other arm. Fighting the desire to rip her arm from her stepmother’s grip, she allowed them to escort her inside. Once past the entrance, the door closed, and Davies stood nearby to assist as needed.
“Wren, are you all right?” Sybelle’s voice was high pitched and annoying.
Setting her shoulders, Wren nodded. “I’m fine, now. However, I would love to discuss why you thought it was a good idea to share with the chief your beliefs that I could have possibly murdered my father?”
“Princess, not here. Queen Sybelle, can we enter the study? I need to talk to you both about your statements.”
“Gwbl,” the queen nodded. “Davies, bring us tea to the study. Alert the staff that we are not to be interrupted. Push lunch back an hour.”
Davies nodded and bowed.
“Mr. Gabriel, you’ll stay for lunch?”
He nodded, and the queen told Davies, “Please set a place for Mr. Gilbert.”
Nodding again, Davies paused to receive this new order before leaving them.
“This way,” Queen Sybelle directed them, shooting Wren an exasperated glance.
Papers in hand, Mr. Gabriel waved Wren ahead of him and followed behind them as they went down the hallway from the entryway.
“Did you lose your suitcase?” Wren asked.
“No, I left it in the car. I’m sure your driver will return me to the police station when I’m ready leave.”
“He will,” Wren agreed, as they continued to walk down the hall.
Three doors later down the left side of the hall, they entered her father’s study. Mr. Gabriel went to the desk and set the papers out there. Wren took a seat across from the desk, and Sybelle sat next to her. Focusing on Mr. Gabriel, Wren completely ignored her stepmother.
“May I?” Mr. Gabriel indicated the chair which was once her father’s. Sybelle nodded at his question, and he took a seat in it. Picking up a few of the papers, he began to peruse them in silence.
“First, may I speak frankly?” he began.
“Wrth gwrs,” Sybelle agreed.
“They shouldn’t have conducted an extended interview without me being present, and neither of you should have agreed to speak further on the subject. You had already given a detailed account of what occurred the evening in question. In fact, I don’t understand their obsession with the food eaten, when we know the king was killed with a knife.”
Wren heard her stepmother swallow. Ignoring her, she crossed her arms and listened to Mr. Gabriel. She hoped he’d get to the part where Sybelle had betrayed her.
“From now on, neither of you says a word to anyone without my approval.”
“All right,” Sybelle agreed, and Wren gave a nod.
“I read these statements on the way here. Both of you seem to want to point the finger at the other,” he paused, but neither denied it. “Queen Sybelle, you have clearly indicated that Wren would have murdered her father over his marriage to you and being sent away to school. I want you to know this is ridiculous. I’ve known Wren since she was born, and I don’t think either of these issues would have resorted to her murdering her father.”
“I didn’t mean to imply anything of the sort. I was confused by their direct questions and tried to answer as honestly as I could. I wasn’t trying to put blame on her.”
“Could have fooled me,” Wren murmured.
“What did you say?” Sybelle turned to her.
“You could have fooled me,” Wren spoke up.
“I’m exhausted with your attitude, Wren. I answered the questions asked. You can’t deny you’re angry and don’t like me.”
“I won’t deny either, but for you to throw suspicion on me over those facts is despicable. You have just as much cause to murder my father. I know you two were arguing before he died.”
“You’re being preposterous, Wren! I don’t know when this childish anger will come to an end, but I wouldn’t murder your father for the reasons you have cited, any more than you claim not to have murdered him for the ones I mentioned.”
“At least I’m not a –”
“Princess!” Mr. Gabriel’s voice yelled over her own.
Both stopped glaring at each other and turned to face him. He looked a little red in the face, and his exhale was loud. Glancing between them both, he shook his head and sighed.
“First rule of dealing with a high-pressure situation such as this is not to turn against each other. Queen Sybelle, the chief was baiting you. He wanted to know if you thought it was possible the princess could have committed the murders. If you even indicate it being a prospect, he would begin to build his case. Princess, throwing your suspicions onto the queen isn’t helping you either.”
“I—”
His head shake had her closing her mouth. “No, this isn’t up for argument from either of you. If I’m your royal retainer in legal issues, you both need to listen to me. I’m going to have my secretary retype these statements. I’m cutting out anything where you two accuse the other.”
They nodded, and he sat the papers back on the desk. “You will sign them, and I will send them to the chief tomorrow. Can we agree on that?”
Both nodded again.
“Good. From now on, you are not to say a word against the other. You are both in this as a team. We are going to push the police in the direction of the real murderer. Do you both agree?”
Again, they nodded.
“Princess, the knife could have been put under your bed by anyone, including a disgruntled servant. I want you to think of anyone you know who might hold a grudge against you or your father or both of you. Make a list for me. Queen Sybelle, I want you to do the same. I want the lists ready for me by tomorrow. Will that work for you two?”
“Le, wrth gwrs,” Sybelle agreed.
“Yes,” Wren added.
“Excellent. The chief agreed to post a car out front and have two officers stationed inside the palace until we can find the killer.”
“Is that really necessary? We have the king’s guard,” Sybelle protested.
“They are now your guard, Queen Sybelle, and yes, it is necessary. We don’t know who the killer is. If it’s someone within your home, we need to have outside protection. Everyone is suspect until then. The extra security is better in the long run.”
The queen and princess nodded but didn’t glance at each other once.
“Please try to decide how you’re going to show support to one another and give the kingdom a united front. The whole country is devastated at the loss of their king. The funeral arrangements have been made for this Sunday. Be prepared for it to be a live, well-attended event. If you have any grieving to do, may I suggest you do it at home?”
They nodded.
Wren crossed her ankles and sat up in her chair. Fingers twining in her lap, she attempted to keep a cool attitude. She wasn’t going to give anyone the opportunity to blame her father’s murder on her. Not when the real killer was getting away with it.
“I have taken care of all the funeral details. The Prime Minister plans on being there. Be prepared to have him stay over. While in his presence, you two are not to say a word of your suspicions. In fact, from to
day forward, you have no suspicions of each other. I will send over all the details of the funeral and reception.”
“Thank you for helping with all the particulars, Mr. Gabriel. I’m so overwhelmed, and it is nice to have someone looking after us.”
“You’re welcome, Queen Sybelle. It’s my job, and I’m more than happy to help arrange everything. I know this is a difficult time for you and the princess.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gabriel. For everything,” Wren told him.
Smiling at her, he nodded. “I’m more than happy to help you both. I’ve arranged for us to read the will in the presence of the Prime Minister on Monday. I assume that will be agreeable to you both?”
Sybelle gave a slight incline of her head, and Wren nodded.
There was a knock at the door. After Sybelle called out, “Enter!” Davies came through with the tea tray. Dewey accompanied him and helped serve the tea. Within minutes, they were bowing and exiting the room.
All three sat stirring their hot tea and taking sips for a few minutes afterward. In the silence, Wren contemplated the lawyer’s words. Even if he wanted them to present an amicable face to the world, it didn’t mean she couldn’t do a bit of snooping on her own.
If she wanted people to take her suspicions seriously, and if she wanted the real killer found, she would have to look into it herself. Preferably before she was convicted. She wondered what the country would say to their princess being hauled off to jail for killing her father, their king.
“Do either of you have any questions?” Mr. Gabriel asked.
“I think you’ve taken care of everything,” Sybelle answered.
Wren shook her head and took another sip of tea. Hoping her headache was past, she thought a shower might be in order. Her plan was to take one as soon as Mr. Gabriel left.
“I’m going to head to the office and get these corrections typed up. I’ll be in contact later. Please have a peaceful evening.” He stood and gathered the paperwork with him.
“Thank you, Mr. Gabriel. We are indebted to you,” Sybelle told him and stood to shake his hand.
Wren approached and gave him a hug. Mr. Gabriel patted her back and rested his chin upon her head for a brief moment.
“Are you better?” he whispered.
She nodded. He let her go and smiled down at her. “I want you to take a nap, if you can. Rest up and relax. A lot has happened, but rest assured, I’m going to take care of it all.”
“Diolch,” Wren whispered.
“Take care of your headache, Princess. I know you get those migraines frequently. We need you to be at one hundred percent. Do you think you can do that?”
“Yes, I can. The shock got to me. It’s been a very long two days. I want the murderer caught,” she said.
Proud of herself, Wren felt good about not mentioning her stepmother as the culprit. Mr. Gabriel nodded and squeezed her shoulder.
“If you don’t mind, Queen Sybelle, I’m going to ask for a raincheck on lunch?”
“You are welcome here anytime, Mr. Gabriel. I’m sorry you have to rush off.”
“Diolch,” he said.
“I’ll see you to the door,” Wren interjected.
They both walked him out of the study and back up the hallway. At the door, he turned to them one last time. “Please remember to keep a brave face and keep your thoughts to yourselves. I will handle all press releases. I’ll be in contact later.”
“Thank you,” Sybelle and Wren both said.
After he left, they stood in the entrance for a few minutes. Wren stared at the black and white pattern on the floor, and Sybelle kept her gaze on the front doors.
“I should let Davies know Mr. Gabriel changed his mind,” Sybelle finally spoke.
“I’m going to go take a shower before lunch. It might help my head.”
“Good idea,” Sybelle added. “I’m sorry about what you read, Wren. I honestly wasn’t trying to put the blame on you. I hope you know that.”
Wren bit her tongue and gave a nod. She wasn’t going to argue over the queen’s choice of words during the interview. Instead, she would do as Mr. Gabriel asked and play nice.
“See you at lunch then?” Sybelle asked.
“Of course,” Wren told her and took off for the stairs.
When she’d reached the top, she looked over her shoulder and found Sybelle at the bottom still watching her. Raising a brow, she waited for her stepmother to say something. When she didn’t, Wren nodded to her and turned to continue up the next flight.
At the next landing, she decided to take matters into her own hands. The hall was empty, and Wren hurried to her stepmother’s new room and let herself inside. Mrs. Griffith wasn’t around. The old woman acted as a guardian toward Sybelle. If she was near, Wren knew she wouldn’t be able to find anything.
She looked around the room. It was spacious and decorated in cream colors with blue and yellow accents. Tiptoeing, Wren began to search through her stepmother’s dresser drawers, closet, and bathroom.
There wasn’t anything in the room except for clothes and cosmetics. Rifling through Sybelle’s pockets, Wren came across a phone number in a pair of navy slacks. This was a new pair, one Wren didn’t recognize, and she didn’t know the phone number either.
Wondering who the number belonged to, Wren tucked the paper into her own pocket. Going to the nightstand, she began rifling through it. A book was tucked inside as well as a notepad and a couple of pens. Her stepmother’s reading glasses were there too. Opening the book, she found a bookmark, but no other papers.
Sighing, she closed the drawer and paused to listen. Sybelle or Mrs. Griffith might enter at any time. Dropping to her knees, she looked under the bed. A pair of slippers were close to the edge, but they were the only thing tucked underneath.
Wren got to her feet and walked to the other side and the second nightstand. Opening it, she found an extra pack of tissues, and that was it.
Not wanting to be caught inside, Wren dashed to the door and listened. When she didn’t hear a sound, she opened the door and snuck into the hallway. She made her way to her new bedroom and entered without a sound.
Ellie was inside folding clothes. Head raised, she met Wren’s glance and smiled. “How are you, Princess?”
“Ellie, please don’t call me that. You know I hate it.”
“Sorry, habit. What’s happened this morning? You look pale. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, thanks. A migraine came on at the police station. Mr. Gabriel had to carry me to the car. I’m sure we’ll have fun headlines on the evening news.”
“Oh no, Wren. I’m sorry to hear it! What happened? Did they accuse you?”
“No, but Sybelle had no difficulties expressing my anger toward my father and my resentment of her. For a queen, she sure can spill her guts with little prodding. Mr. Gabriel told us both we are a united front from here on out. He’s taking care of the statements.”
“Good for him! I’ve always liked Mr. Gabriel. Now, tell me everything while I prepare a shower for you. It sounds as if you could use one.” Ellie set down a t-shirt she’d just folded and came forward to link her arm through Wren’s, before heading to the bathroom.
Taking a seat on the covered toilet seat, Wren sighed. “We were pulled into a second interview. Chief Constable Hector had me holed up in one room and Sybelle in another. He asked the same questions again and when we were waiting to sign the statements, Mr. Gabriel showed up. Sybelle got a phone call and disappeared, and while Mr. Gabriel talked to the chief, I read Sybelle’s statement.”
“Did they give it to you?” Ellie asked, as she pulled towels from the closet.
“No. It was just sitting there, and I couldn’t resist reading it.”
“Wren, you didn’t?”
“I did. It’s not as if it won’t become public consumption anyway, and when I read it, I started to get a headache. It made me so angry. She painted me as a spoiled, mean-spirited brat. I’m not that bad.”
“You�
�re not even close, Wren. I’m surprised she would say anything of the sort.” Arranging the soap and shampoo for Wren, she sat on the edge of the tub.
“I have to admit it surprised me as well. If nothing else, I thought she wouldn’t want to drag our names into this. It wouldn’t look good for either of us to be accused of murder.”
Ellie raised a brow and crossed her arms over her knees. Leaning forward, she asked, “Did you accuse your stepmother in your interview?”
Wren shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a yes. It seems you both are turning against each other. As a royal family, you can’t do that. Being a part of your public, I can attest to the confusion the country will feel if the queen and princess turn against each other in this hour.”
“Ellie, I know she did it! She put the knife underneath my bed to frame me. I could end up in jail for this. How could I not tell the police my suspicions?”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t express your opinions and concerns, but I would watch coming out and directly accusing the queen. Mr. Gabriel is right. Until the culprit is found, you and the queen need to be seen as allies. If she’s guilty, you can express your evidence then. Do you have any evidence?”
Thinking of the paper with the number in her pocket, Wren wanted to say yes, but since she didn’t know what the number was for or whose it was, she couldn’t reveal her evidence. Instead, she shook her head.
“See? Now, are you ready to take a shower?”
“Yes, thanks. Are you folding the clothes I ordered from Nierin’s?”
“I am. I already washed them. Do you have a particular outfit you’d like to change into?”
Wren shook her head.
“I’ll grab your bathrobe,” Ellie said and left to retrieve it. Hanging it on the back of the door, she smiled at Wren. “Relax. I wish you’d take a bath. It’d be a lot more peaceful.”
“I hate bathes,” Wren retorted.
Ellie shrugged. “I know. I’ll be out here finishing up if you need me.”
“The fact that you know this should disturb me, but thanks, Ellie.”
“Anytime,” the maid said and closed the door.
The Four Tales Page 49