“I’m not here as a reporter today,” Lizzy said. “We’re trying to find out what happened to Darcy’s parents, and word is that you were the last one to see them alive.”
He raised an eyebrow and turned to me. “I’ve already given my statement on this. I’m sure you’ve seen it.”
“I have,” I said, “but circumstances have changed, and we now suspect that someone may have killed them.”
John Rittle paled. “And you believe I did it?” he said, enraged. “You’re barking up the wrong tree. First off, your parents and I got along on a lot of things. I met with them to discuss the implementation of a new policy regarding fae interactions with humans we both agreed on.”
“Yet you were the last person to see them alive…” I let my words trail off with another meaningful look.
“No, I wasnotthe last person to see them alive.”
I stepped back in shock. “Then who was it?”
“You should talk to Vanessa Trent. She might tell you what you’re looking for, for the right price of course.”
“Why her?”
“Because as I left my meeting with your parents, she called your mother, and what she heard may interest you.”
“Talking on the phone isn’t the same as seeing someone face to face,” Lizzy said.
“I overheard them talking about meeting later that day.” He gave her a frosty stare.
Could Mrs. Trent be the key to what I was searching for? My hand dug into my pocket for my phone. I still hadn’t answered my aunt about the dinner.
“Is there anything else that you remember?” Lizzy asked.
“No, that is it. I am not the person you are looking for, and you should both be careful with your low-key accusations. You aren’t king yet, Darcy. I’d beware. The water that you’re treading is getting uncomfortably deep. Am I free to go?”
I didn’t like his threat. Especially with Lizzy at my side. I couldn’t help but remember how the murderer in the last case Lizzy and I tried to solve had gone after her. I stepped closer, squaring my shoulders. “No, you can’t. What do you know about Clara Ashcombe?” I asked.
“You mean the fact that she’s dead?” John shook his head. “Surely you don’t think her death had anything to do with your parents. She clearly died from Moonrot.”
“You were aware she had Moonrot?” I asked.
John seemed slightly surprised. “I… yes. A few of us on the council knew. Look, I wasn’t even in town when she died.”
“Who on the council knew?” Lizzy asked.
“Me, Sir Walter, Vanessa Trent… I think that’s all. We found out after Clara collapsed after a council meeting a year ago. Most of the council had left, so they didn’t see it happen. Although I have to say that Vanessa appeared surprisingly unsurprised. Is there anything else?”
Lizzy looked at me.
I had no further inquiries. “You can go.”
“We may come back with more questions later.” Lizzy crossed her arms, not looking at all frazzled by his remarks.
John Rittle snorted. “I doubt it.” And with that, he stormed out of the building.
“What do you think Mrs. Trent might know about your parents?” Lizzy asked me. A couple laughed nearby, and the floating lanterns overhead released a string of confetti over the pair.
“I’m unsure, but it sounds bad. She also knew that Clara had Moonrot before anyone else.” My stomach twisted with foreboding, but I pushed my worries aside. We needed to find the truth, and we were so close it felt as if it sat on the tip of my tongue. With mixed feelings, I faced Lizzy. “My aunt invited me to her house for dinner with the Trents tomorrow night…”
“Great!” Lizzy said. “I’ll come too.”
I ran a hand through my hair, releasing a breath. “You should know—”
“LIIIZY!” Lydia strolled into the inn. She noticed us and bounded over. “Oh good, and Darcy, you’re here, too.” She didn’t appear the least bit surprised.
