“I didn’t think about that at all. I was trying to keep the princess safe.”
Sitting up straight, Hunter looked at the captain and waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, Hunter cleared his throat. “Why were you trying to keep the princess safe? Wasn’t she attacking the queen?”
Shifting in his seat, Ward folded his hands and shook his head. “Princess Wren wouldn’t attack the queen. She was angry, and I felt it was best if she was put in a safe, familiar place until she calmed down.”
“So, you thought there was a chance she would attack the queen?”
Captain Ward stared past his head and took a deep breath. “Princess Wren would never hurt anyone.”
“She punched a teacher,” Hunter said.
The captain’s eyes found his. They were wide, and his jaw clenched. “I don’t recall hearing of such an incident.”
Hunter knew the man was lying. Loyalty it was. He could read the older gentleman well. Saying anything negative against the princess wasn’t going to happen. He’d either have to be tricked or dying, and even then, Hunter didn’t think there would be much hope of him betraying her.
Smiling, Hunter respected the man’s allegiance. “Princess Wren is lucky to have you.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’m not here to build a case against the princess. I just want to know what happened.”
“We put the princess in her room because she went through a shock. She was upset and hurt. The police looked through her room when they arrived. There was nothing else to find.”
“So, what happened last night? How did four intruders get in here, and no one saw a thing? Including the cameras?”
Shaking his head, the captain shrugged. “I don’t know. I honestly can’t say. I was on my way inside and noticed the men who weren’t at their posts. I found a body. I went forward wondering what had happened. I made it to the bottom of the stairs, and that’s all I remember.”
Hunter nodded his head. “Do you think there’s someone in the palace who would have aided them?”
“What?” The man sat up straighter in his chair and glared at Hunter. “I resent the accusation that I would have anyone on my staff who would plot against the princess and queen. Every man here has had a thorough background check.”
“Understood,” Hunter said. “Can I have a list of all these men?”
“I gave a list to the constable.”
Nodding, Hunter tried again. “I will get it from him then. Can I talk to the guard Darcy?”
For a second, Ward sat there without moving. He inhaled deeply and nodded. “I will call him.”
“Thank you, Captain Ward. You’ve been very helpful.”
The man nodded and stood. He walked to the side and picked up a walkie. “Darcy?”
“Yes, Captain?” A voice rasped through.
“Can you have Ewen cover for you and meet me at Building One?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Building One?” Hunter questioned.
“This is called Building One. The other two buildings are where we all sleep. One is the Alpha, and the other is the Beta. Anything else I can help you with?”
“Which do you stay in?”
“The Alpha. The senior guards stay in there. The newer recruits stay in the Beta. We rotate according to years in service. Most of our men stay in for ten years, but there are a few of us who are lifers, so to speak.”
Hunter decided not to speak and only nodded. He wanted to see what the captain would reveal on his own.
“Most of the men are from the army or headed to the army. I can vouch for every single one of them. They’re honest and hardworking men.”
A knock came at the door.
“Enter,” Captain Ward called out.
The guard who came in was approximately the same age as Ward. He had a bit of grey at his temples, laugh lines, and dark hair. His frame was tall and muscular. He stood straight and saluted.
“At ease,” Ward told him. “PI Hunter would like to ask you some questions about the night of King Cynfor’s death. He might have some inquiries about tonight as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll leave you both to it,” the captain said and left them.
“PI Hunter, what can I do for you?” He stood tall with his hands behind his back.
“Please, sit. I just want to know what you recall from the night the king died.”
Sitting, Darcy kept his back straight. “I already told the police what happened.”
“I know,” Hunter told him. “I just want to ask to hear what you have to say for myself.”
Nodding, the man tilted his head and stared at the wall over Hunter’s shoulder. “I was on duty that night. The king told Olly and me we were dismissed. He’d do it often, so I wasn’t surprised.”
“What did you do?” Hunter interjected, when he paused.
“We left. You don’t argue with the king. It wasn’t as if we weren’t used to him giving us that order.”
“He gave it often?”
“Every night. He liked his privacy. There were times, when he’d be holed up in his study and tell us to move along. We never argued. He was still within a secure home, and we’d patrol the area, just not stand outside his door.”
Crossing his arms, Hunter sat back. He could understand the king’s desire for a few minutes of peace. It must be hard to have someone following you everywhere you went, every day of your life.
“We patrolled the second floor and went to the third floor. We made an entire sweep of the area before heading down the back stairs and coming around again. We were heading back upstairs when the queen screamed.”
“How long would something like that take? I’ve been on both floors, and there’s a vast amount of space up there. It had to take you some time.”
“Approximately ten minutes and thirty-four seconds. I’ve timed it. We checked every room except for the princess’s.”
“You saw no one?”
“No,” he said, with a shake of his head. “We didn’t check under any beds or in any closets though. Usually, we open the doors and do a sweep with our light. Then, we close them up and move on.”
“What next?”
“We rounded the corridor leading from the basement through the servant’s stairs. We made it through the hallway and into the foyer and were about to head up the steps when we heard the queen scream. At first, we didn’t know who screamed.”
“What did you find when you made it upstairs?”
“The queen stood in the hallway with her hands covering her mouth. She kept shaking her head at the open doors. Mrs. Griffith was coming around the other corner, from the direction of Princess Wren’s room. When I looked inside the king’s bedroom, I saw the princess in there trying to do CPR.”
“Keep going,” Hunter encouraged.
“I told Olly to call the captain, and I ran into the room. I saw the blood on the sheets. Her hands were covered. She was sobbing hysterically, and she kept talking to the king.”
“What was she saying?” Hunter leaned forward.
“She kept saying, ‘Don’t die. Don’t die. Don’t die. Please wake up.’ I pulled her away and checked his pulse. He was already gone.”
“Was she covered in blood?”
Darcy’s eyes looked as if they had glazed over. He swallowed and blinked. “Her hands were covered in the king’s blood. She was holding them out and shaking, sobbing. I’ve never seen the princess so broken.”
“Was there blood on her nightgown and her slippers?”
“I don’t remember,” he said. The guard scrunched up his face as he thought. “There might have been.”
“What happened next?”
“Captain Ward came in and took over. He checked the king’s pulse again, even after I told him he was gone. He sent Dyl to take the queen downstairs with Mrs. Griffith and had Archer take charge of the room.”
“Why did he have Archer take charge of the king’s room?”
&nb
sp; “He took the princess back to her room. She was in shock and wouldn’t move. He had to walk her back. I stayed with Archer. The police were already on their way. The captain called them as soon as I paged him.”
Sitting back up, Hunter wrote notes on what he’d just heard. He took down all the names Darcy had mentioned. Making note of the captain taking the princess to her room and including the fact that Mrs. Griffith had come around the corner from the direction of Wren’s room after the king had been killed.
“Why do you think the captain took the princess to her room?”
“I don’t know.”
“How did the queen get dressed before the police arrived?”
“Mrs. Griffith requested clothes about ten minutes later. The queen didn’t want to meet the police in her pajamas.”
“What happened to her clothes?”
The guard shrugged. “I think the police took them and the princess’s.”
Hunter nodded. He already knew that. The situation with the princess’s clothes from this morning had him baffled. In fact, he wondered if the constable was already here. Mr. Gabriel was staying until they came and left.
“Just a few more questions. Where were you when last night’s break-in occurred?”
“I was off duty. My next shift wasn’t until the morning. 0800. I was awoken before that, of course, when everything happened.”
“I see. Was there anyone out here watching the monitors?”
“Yes, Andras was on duty. He said he saw nothing. There wasn’t any change to the pictures, and he didn’t see any of the four intruders. He’s feeling really bad about it.”
Wanting to find out what was going on inside, Hunter closed his notepad and stood. “Thank you, Darcy. I appreciate your time.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
“I’m going to head back inside. Are you going in?”
“No, it’s my turn to watch the monitors.”
Looking toward the screen, Hunter saw the police car in the front drive. He shook the guard’s hand and left. Walking up to the house, he was struck again by how large it was. He was also beginning to think there was an inside man or woman. He also wanted to talk to Mrs. Griffith.
Walking through the open back door, he took the main stairs up and entered the hallway leading to the foyer. He’d just entered it when he heard a voice to his right. It sounded like the captain’s.
Slowing down, he approached the next doorway with soft steps. The voices were hushed but became louder as he approached, and he was sure one was the deep rumble of the captain’s voice.
“We can’t let anything happen to her,” the captain was whispering.
“We won’t,” another voice said. It was soft and feminine. “She didn’t do anything wrong. Wren wouldn’t do what they’ll accuse her of, and we both know it.”
He knew the second voice. It was Wren’s maid, Ellie.
“I know. I have my own suspicions about what’s happening, but we have to keep her protected until I can figure it out.”
“Can you tell me?”
“No, I can’t. Not yet. I hope that PI doesn’t get on the wrong track or harm my own investigation.”
“Captain, I know why I want to find out the truth, but why are you helping?”
My own question, Hunter thought.
“I’ve known the princess most of her life. She’s like my daughter, and I won’t let her be hurt anymore.”
Hurt anymore? What does that mean?
“Me either,” Ellie replied.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” Captain Ward told her.
Another sound entered the foyer, and Hunter heard more voices. He decided to move out and see what was happening. In the doorway, he found the captain at attention, Ellie disappearing into another hall, and the constable was standing there with Mr. Gabriel.
“I’m not going to take her in, Mr. Gabriel. I could, but we both know she answered every question I needed. Plus, I can’t arrest her for clothes found in her hamper that had to have been planted there. I can’t tell you how much I hate this case.”
Mr. Gabriel nodded. “I’m confused by it as well.”
The constable nodded. Hunter came up to them and asked, “Have either of you talked to Mrs. Griffith?”
Constable Chief Hector turned with narrowed eyes. Mr. Gabriel’s lips lifted in a small smile. “Hello, Hunter,” the lawyer said.
“Hello, Mr. Gabriel. I’m glad to hear you aren’t arresting the princess.”
“I have nothing to go on, but a bunch of clothes hidden in a room people had access to over the last few days. There were four intruders the night before these were found,” he held up the bag of clothes, “and I don’t even begin to know how that could be a connection.”
“Why would we want to talk to Mrs. Griffith?” Mr. Gabriel came back to his question.
“The guard, Darcy, said he noticed her coming from the same direction as Princess Wren’s room the night the king died.”
“I think I read that in my notes,” the constable said. “Why is that a big deal? She heard the queen screaming and came to help her.”
“Yes, but in the direction of the princess’s room? When there was a stashed knife?”
The constable’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think about that. This case is driving me nuts.”
Mr. Gabriel looked from Hunter to the constable and back again. “Perhaps we should talk to her again?”
The constable nodded. “Yes, we should. You?” he called out to Davies, who stood nearby.
“Yes, sir?”
“Could you ask Mrs. Griffith to come up? Can we use a room to interview her?”
“Yes, Constable.” Davies bowed slightly and swept his hand to the right. “Please follow me. You can use the burgundy room since Her Highness is in the library.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, Davies.”
He left them there while he went to get Mrs. Griffith. Hunter wandered the room. It was spacious enough to hold a small gathering of fifty people at least. The windows faced the front of the house and all of the curtains were tied open.
Contemplating what he’d heard the captain and the maid discussing, he wondered if he might want to have another talk with them as well. He couldn’t get what the captain had said about the princess being hurt again out of his mind.
When had she been hurt? No one he’d interviewed had said anything of the sort. They’d alluded to the uncomfortable relationship between the princess and her stepmother.
Thinking about what the others had told him, he recalled that the princess had punched a teacher. Yet, everyone said she’d never hurt anyone. Ellie had told him she’d done it to protect someone. Who?
The door opened, and Davies let Mrs. Griffith inside.
“Mrs. Griffith?” the constable asked.
“Yes,” the woman responded. Her voice was nasal, and Hunter had the distinct impression she was looking down her nose at them.
“We have a couple of questions for you about the night the king died.”
“I thought I’d already answered them,” she said.
Hunter glanced over at Mr. Gabriel and the constable. He wondered if they saw the way she tensed. He returned his focus to Mrs. Griffith as she stood straight and made no movement to come forward and take a seat.
“Would you like to sit?” the constable asked.
“No, thank you.”
He nodded and asked, “Why were you coming from the direction of the princess’s room when the queen screamed?”
“I heard my lady screaming, so of course, I came running.”
“Do you normally come from that direction?” the constable persisted.
“The servant’s door is on that end,” the woman told him.
“Did you come from the servant’s door?”
Hesitating, she nodded.
Hunter could tell Mr. Gabriel was skeptical, and the constable looked as if he didn’t believe her either. For some reason, Hunter didn’t trust her either.<
br />
“Is there something wrong with hurrying to my lady’s aid?”
“None at all. It was very brave of you. Are you sure you came up the back, servant’s stairs and not the front?”
“Yes, quite.”
“That’s all then,” the constable opened the door for her.
After she walked out, he shut it and faced the other men. “I don’t think she’s telling the truth.”
“Agreed,” Mr. Gabriel said.
Hunter nodded his head. “The question is why would she lie?”
“That’s what we’re going to have to find out,” the constable told him. “I need to leave now and turn these clothes over to forensics. They’ve already dusted her hamper. This case needs to end soon. Do either of you have something else I should look into?”
Both men shook their heads and followed the constable out the door. Shaking hands, Hunter said goodbye to them all. They walked in opposite directions to their cars, and Davies shut the front doors behind them.
Glancing back up to the house, he spotted a curtain pulled back on the third floor. As engines started around him, he looked up into the eyes of the princess. She put up a hand to him, waving, and he put up his own.
She let the curtain fall again, and he climbed into his car wondering why he felt overwhelmingly sad. Shifting into drive, he glanced back up at the window and almost felt as if the princess was still there watching him.
He wondered if she was relying on him to save her, and he wondered if he’d be able to do just that.
23
“Do you think he’ll be able to help you?” Ellie asked, when they met in her room a half-hour after the house had cleared.
“It seems there are a lot of things I don’t know lately, and that is one of those things. Did he talk to you before he left?”
“Yes, he did.”
“What did he ask? If I was guilty?”
“Not really. He did ask if I thought you could do it, and he questioned your relationship with the king and queen.”
“I’m sure you told him the truth, which didn’t look great on my part.”
“Wren, if he knew you at all, he’d know you’d never do any of this. You need to take care of yourself. You’ve been trying to find evidence against Queen Sybelle, and you should be grieving and resting. You’ve had way too many headaches this week.”
The Four Tales Page 64