Strike at Midnight(12)

“It’s not exactly common knowledge,” he replied, “for we tended to meet up at his lands or at my home. We would have a game of chess or go out hunting. Old-man pursuits.”

“You don’t go out much?”

“Not so much anymore, I’m afraid. However, I did go to a few gatherings when I heard he was back on the scene. That’s when he behaved the way he did.”

“That narrows things down a little bit, I suppose,” I said, my head whirring. “It was someone who needed to learn some of his habits, know about his lack of family. But not someone close enough who saw what went on at his home. Someone who didn’t know about his friendship with you.”

“That does make sense. And he is very much a social being. Men and women alike adore him, and a lot of people know his name. He is very much a showman who gives people the right amount of attention. He is on many of the elites’ invitation lists.”

“I’m doubting magic could have been involved in this,” I said, speaking my thoughts out loud. “Unless you know if the duke dabbled in any…illegally?”

“Oh no,” he replied quickly, his face aghast that I had even mentioned magic. “He would never…”

“I didn’t mean to offend you or the duke. But I had to ask.”

“Of course, of course you did, my dear. But magic is something people like to think doesn’t exist inside Carena. It is, shall we say, considered tacky in the higher circles.”

“They like to think it doesn’t exist because then that practically makes it so. Am I right?”

He chuckled at my observation. “I suppose it is.”

“Well, ignorance aside. Magic does indeed exist, and it exists outside the regulated kind that is available for purchase. It was something I needed to consider.”

“You are thorough, and I admire you for it. But there is nothing to suggest he would have dabbled in anything like that. And I doubt anyone would. Not even to become the duke.”

Powerful witches had faded into the background after the banishment order. They had either chosen to hide behind a facade of healing or herbal remedies or dropped out of sight altogether. Some to this day still advertised their services to the highest bidder, but those were the ones less likely to have a great power. They just took advantage of what they had and acted like they knew more. Hence why witches tended to have a bad rep as con artists and fakes. It didn’t matter that the ones out in the open were “witchy” enough to be regulated by the men in black tunics at the MLO offices, they were still regarded as quacks or showmen in most circles.

Magic was dangerous, unreliable, and hard to get ahold of outside of regulation and the scope of the potions and spells sold in Lower City. To have the power to change someone’s face would have meant trying to find a witch who would be willing to risk so much—including their own exposure to the MLO—and no one would want that for such a small reward. No offense to the duke.

“You’re right,” I said in agreement. “But it definitely sounds like someone who would mingle in such circles. That means I can’t rule out drivers, servants.” I let out a huge sigh. That would be a lot of people to sort through, and I was going to need some help on this. “I’ll be happy to take this on as a case, but I will need to double my original fee. I’m going to need to engage the help of a private detective I trust because time isn’t exactly on our side.”

“That’s fine, my dear,” he said, and I almost rescinded on the amount because he was being so willing. But then my pie arrived and I resolved myself to the fact that he could afford it.

“Thanks,” I said to the serving wench, and then I dug into the pie with fervor. It tasted so damn good.

“Hungry?” he asked, and his eyes glimmered with humor.

I nodded my head and picked up a napkin to wipe my mouth. “Sorry,” I said, chewing away my mouthful. “It was a long night.”

“Please don’t hold back on my account.”

“Are you able to provide me with a list of the peers who move in your circles? Maybe try to rule it down to those who would have the money, the intention, or know-how to pull off something like this?” I took another bite and said the rest as politely as I could with my mouth half full, “And I mean anyone. Male, female. Anyone who would be capable.”

“I will do my best. I shall get it to your office tomorrow.” By office, he meant Melodies. It was so sweet of him to make me look like a professional, though.

“Thanks,” I said, swallowing the rest of the food. “I’ll go and see the private detective after this meeting. I’ll get them to start asking around, getting a perspective on things. It may just give us a lead to where he could be.”

“I sincerely hope so, my dear,” he said, and a worried look rested upon his features. “If he is still alive, he will be counting on us both.”

“Then I’ll work all angles until I exhaust everyone. I will let you know if I hit any dead ends, and then you can explore other alternatives. Have you logged it with the local law enforcement?”

“I have, and they said they will ask around. But I don’t want to rely on them.”

“You won’t need to.”

“I have men I trust to help if you need it. The only reason I haven’t asked before now is…”