The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter 25

We made our way back to the castle. We stayed in the shadows and managed to avoid the guards. I could hear the clamor of men back where we had left the carriage and the giant’s corpse. The guards must have found that mess. But it helped us slip back to the castle. The main gate was guarded. But, as before, Laila knew a secret way in. She led us through a cave at the base of the hill, and into another part of the catacombs. Twenty minutes later we were sneaking through the castle. 

The castle felt empty to me. I suspected that the guards were out on the streets looking for us. We reached Lynn’s room and knocked on the door.

Lynn answered and Quincy burst from under her dress and began dancing around my feet.

Lynn stared at us. “Get in here before somebody sees you.” 

We stepped into Lynn’s room, I grinned. “Lynn you don’t have a spare gown laying around do you? This one is kind of done.”

I stopped. Monique was standing behind Lynn.

“Your grace!” Laila stumbled into a curtsy.

“Oh no. Please. Monique. Call me Monique.”

“Oh no. That wouldn’t be proper.”

I noticed both were blushing. Neither was looking at the other. I smiled. 

= = =

We brought Lynn and Monique up to speed on the events and misadventures of the evening. Monique sat with a horrified look on her face. Lynn wore a look that read: not this again. 

“Laila still doesn’t have an alibi. Nobody saw her go outside and nobody saw her while she was outside.”

“Oh. But I did see her.” Monique said. “I didn’t know who she was at the time. But I would never forget her face. That is. I mean. I saw her. I know it was her.”

Laila reddened and Monique looked away. 

“Well that’s something.” I said. “I assume you were at my table before that?”

Laila nodded and I continued. “Which means any of the other guests can corroborate that she was never near the duke’s drinking horn.”

“I can confirm that too. I was near my husband most of the time.”

“Don’t say that.” Laila said. “That makes you a suspect.”

She paused, then continued. “But Baroness Octavian. You can confirm you never saw her take her husband’s drinking horn.”

Lynn looked away. “I don’t know. I don’t remember seeing anyone else take the duke’s drinking horn. I don’t think so.”  

I nodded, “I say we proceed on the assumption that neither Monique or Laila are the killer. I am choosing to trust them both. Anyone object?”

One by one everyone shook their heads. 

“I’m surprised you’re trusting me like this,” Laila said. 

“I trust you.” Monique said.

“You got beaten on our behalf and didn’t turn us in. Beaten by your father, no less.”

“Hyperborean girls don’t have fathers, we have owners.” Laila said, looking away and into the fire.

“I’m starting to understand why a husband poisoning society might exist here.” I said.

Behind me, I heard the door open. And then I heard Leon speak. “Lynn, something has happened. All the guards have been sent out into the streets searching for-”

We froze. Leon looked around the room. Then he closed his eyes and shook his head.

“I suspect I have seen something as a friend that I cannot see as a duke.”