I still believed the clues dealt with our journey at Camelot Court, which meant he probably had a clue for me, even if itwasn’t the one I needed right away, so I’d have to suck it up and ask this afternoon.
Before that, I needed to get into that lockbox.
I ducked into my bedroom, where I’d left it for safekeeping, and pulled it out from beneath my pillow. I wasn’t sure who I expected to come after it, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Quickly adjusting the tiles, I spun them to the factory default setting.
When the lock clicked and the lid popped open, an exultant cry leaving my lips at the sight of my next clue.
Under shredded bits of paper, a magnifying glass rested atop an old photograph.
Smudges of white obscured the image, but it appeared to be a group photo. I’d spent so much time staring at the Maiden Introduction photos, I recognized the lineup. Without a frame, I didn’t know the year it was taken, and I’d need a way to remove the smudges safely.
Just to be sure, I clicked my flashlight on and scanned the inside of the lockbox and the photo. I also ran the magnifying glass over everything before tucking all the items inside.
I hopped off the bed and left the room, planning to visit Miss Alice in the kitchens while I killed some time. She might be able to help me remove the smudges.
Miss Alice greeted me when I walked in, and I took up residence on a stool while she cooked. “Do you know how to get smudges off an old photograph? I want to clean it without ruining the image underneath.”
She stirred whatever heavenly dish she made in the pot while glancing at me over her shoulder. “Do you know what the smudges are from?”
“No idea.”
Cradling the wooden spoon in the dish on the stove, she paused her cooking to inspect the problem herself. She wipedher hands on her apron and took the photo. With the nail of her pinky finger, she scraped off a tiny piece of one smudge mark. She sniffed and licked it before wrinkling her nose.
“This is paint.”
“It is?” I took the photo as she handed it back to me. “So, that should be pretty easy to remove, right?”
“It depends what type of paint was used, but WD-40, rubbing alcohol, or paint thinner could do the trick. You’ll want to test a small spot, using a cotton ball or cotton-tipped applicator. I have some with the rubbing alcohol in the laundry room.” She eyed the pot on the stove and removed her apron. “Give this a few turns for me while I fetch it.”
After setting her apron on the kitchen island, she disappeared through a side door.
I picked up the wooden spoon and held it over the giant pot before peering at the contents. Broth bubbled at the surface, so I stirred it a few times gently before replacing the spoon on its dish and stepping back.
Elaine caught me before I got back to my seat.
She arched a brow at where I stood by the stove, and her lips curved in a cruel smile. “Getting a jump start on your future position, Quinn?”
“Yep. You caught me, Elaine.” I rolled my eyes and slid back into my seat.
“You wouldn’t be the first charity case to nab a spot here.” She assessed me like she still had a claim over Pendragon by way of her nullified betrothal. “I’m sure you’d do well, if you curbed your mouth and kept your hands off what doesn’t belong to you.”
She smirked.
“Thanks for the tip.”
Hopefully, my dry tone conveyed how much weight I gave her opinion.
“Miss Alice can teach you the rest. It’s so great you’ll have a mentor who was also in The Quest. She’ll really ease the transition back to reality for you.”
“Can I help you, dearie?” Miss Alice greeted the newcomer as she came around the corner, but she stopped short when she recognized Elaine and the pissed-off expression on my face. “Oh. It’s you.”
“I need a snack.”
Miss Alice pointed at the fridge. “Snacks are in there, miss.”
“Great. Can you get one for me, please?”
