We stepped out into the bitter cold. My teeth chattered as I fought to get the words out. “What you did just then was cruel.”
“If you say so.” Morrie shrugged. “Quoth knows I’m right. Besides, if I’m down here with you, Heathcliff has no choice but to escort Lydia.”
Anger bubbled in my veins. “I knew that was you sole motivation! You robbed Quoth of this chance to enjoy time with me and to hone his skills at remaining human. He’s getting so much better now. He could have managed at the garden party. And if he had trouble he could have slipped into the bushes and shifted without a hassle.”
Morrie held up his lanyard. “This badge has my name on it. Quoth doesn’t have a ticket. You made your choice. Face it, Mina, you’re just as cruel as I am, only I’m the one who’ll say it to his face.”
I opened my mouth to protest more, but Cynthia swept in, her hair immaculate. She wrapped my freezing hands in hers. “I’m so sorry, Mina, that you had to see what you saw last night. And then to find those horrid words on your door! Why, it’s just too much! I thought this weekend would help you forget about gruesome murders, but instead, I’ve landed you in the middle of one. What a nasty business.”
“Yes,” I tried to step around her, but her umbrella blocked the path. Cold snow pelted my bare face.
“Have the police caught the killer yet?”
“Just because I f-f-found the body doesn’t mean the police h-h-have to let me in on their case.”
Cynthia moved her umbrella to the other side. Sensing my opportunity, I surged forward, but Morrie yanked me back to his side.
“I imagine they’re still processing the evidence from the scene,” Morrie said, tightening his grip on my arm, locking me in place. “I believe they thought it might’ve been an opportunistic killing?”
“Yes. Christina’s stolen jewelry may link this case to that terrible thief.” Cynthia shuddered. “The murderer must have been skulking around the grounds when he noticed the jewels, came in the window, and stuck our dear professor right through so he could make his getaway. But I don’t understand why he went upstairs and wrote that note on your door. I just hate to think someone might be casing our home! Grey has engaged a security firm from London,” she pointed to a row of burly, black-clad security guards barking orders at each other through headsets. “Apparently, they look after rock bands and movie stars, so they shall keep the rest of us safe.”
“Yes, well, thank you.” I wrenched Morrie around her. “We must go find a seat.”
“Where’s the fire, gorgeous?” Morrie jogged after me.
“In the orangery.” I pointed to a glowing brazier in the large building. “And considering my lips are about to fall off, I need to go and hug it. Why would you keep Cynthia talking? You know she never says anything of substance, and I already can’t feel my feet.”
“I was trying to find out more information. I thought she might reveal any leads the police were following.”
We emerged onto the wider garden path leading down to the orangery. I dragged my frozen feet forward, my body curling in on itself with every step.Just a little further, Mina, and then you’ll get to be next to that nice warm heater, and enjoy a hot cup of tea—
“Mina, can I talk to you?” Alice appeared in front of me, her lips drawn in a tight line.
Nooooooo.“S-s-sure. We could just go inside and stand by the fire—”
“No,” Alice grabbed me under the arm and tugged me away from Morrie. “Not near any people. Come with me.”
“I’ll save you a seat by the brazier!” Morrie called after me.
Alice dragged me across the lawn and yanked me down behind a parterre. I threw out my hand to break my fall, yelping as I slammed my fingers into the icy snow.
“Sorry.” Alice crouched beside me. “I don’t want anyone to see us. If someone asks what we’re doing here, say you were helping me look for an earring.”
“You’re good at s-s-subterfuge,” I said, rubbing my frozen hands together. “Wh-wh-why are we crouching in the snow instead of inside with the fire and hot chocolate—”
“I don’t know who else to trust,” Alice’s eyes widened as she pulled her earring out of her ear. “But then I saw what was written on your door, and I knew I had to tell you what I know.”
“Wh-wh-what’s that?”
“I know who killed Professor Hathaway, and it wasn’t the Argleton Jewel Thief. It was—”
“Alice, there you are! What are you doing down there?”
Professor Carmichael peered down at us, a black shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
“Mina was helping me search for my earring, but I think it’s gone forever.” Alice stood up so fast as sent a cascade of snow from the edge of the parterres down on me. I stood up, stuttering out a greeting through my freezing lips.
“That’s a shame.” Professor Carmichael touched Alice’s arm. “Alice, I thought you might like to sit with me. I’ll be able to make corrections to any false statements made about Hathaway during the memorial.”
