Once I'm sure they've left and ascended the stairs, I slip from my stool and join Cardinal where he still leans opposite the open kitchen door. “Mavis was lying,” I whisper, in case they've stopped on the stairs. “Wil isn't in the astrology room, meaning she didn't stay with her that night. We need to ask Bran if she was with him and if she wasn't, where did she sleep?” I think over the other questions swimming in my head. “Merle also told the detectives he forgot to lock up because he went straight to bed, but Phin said that he was partly sure he left the room to go lock up.”
Rubbing his palm over his short beard, he places his own cup down and crosses his arms. “What do you mean partly?”
“He was in the bathroom when Merle said he'd go lock up, but when he came out he was already asleep. He doesn't know if he did leave or not.”
Looking up at him, his eyes mirror my own confusion. There's just so many questions and already I can't keep straight where each guest was Friday night.
“You’re trying to figure out who murdered him aren't you? Your questions weren't subtle, by the way.” He knocks my hip and I'm surprised to see him look so smug. “I told you that you needed a murder board. That's some Nancy Drew shit right there.” Just to throw me off further, he throws me a wink.
“I don't want your ego to inflate further, but yes I have a suspect list and nothing to go on so far. Merle's questionable whereabouts is the sketchiest detail and even though you don't know him, the giant softy is probably not our killer.”
“You never know what people can do when pushed to their limits.” He replies, void of any emotion; stating a fact, not opinion. “I was downstairs with his brother briefly for a nightcap, but Merle may have come down after I went to bed. I did see him.”
“He's my best friend’s boyfriend, he would never hurt anyone. Even if he hated him, he wouldn't do anything to hurt Phoenix.”
I have the feeling we're agreeing to disagree, so I head back to the island and pick up the latest clues.
A setting poised for vows yet to be spoken,
Where dreams are sketched but not yet woven.
“Have you read this clue? The others have been pretty obvious if you know the house, but I don’t know about this one.” Vows yet to be spoken could easily be promises, but where were they made? Dreams in progress could indicate a workplace?
He takes the card from me and taps a finger against it. “Could it be an office?”
“It’s a place to start. I don’t know if the guys are going to put on any food tonight, but no one's around so why don’t we go look for the next clue?” I ask, not wanting to waste any more time waiting to see what the detectives do next. I’d always believed in the justice system, if not for others but victims like Mum.Phoenix’s father had taken her from me, but even as children we all understood right from wrong, and didn’t blame the police force for imprisoning him.
Me though? I was innocent. I didn’t belong behind bars over a man that mentally abused me our entire relationship. I trusted the system.
“Are you feeling ok Drew?” He studied my pale face.
I could feel the tremor in my lips, but I nod anyway and head for the door. “I’m fine. Let's go search the office. Corbin had been working there Friday so maybe we can look through some of his things, if they’re still in there.”
Following me out of the kitchen, he mumbled under his breath, “You’ll have me breaking into peoples rooms and looking through their luggage next.” Which didn’t sound like a bad idea if we started to get desperate.
MAKING our way quietly upstairs, no one seems to be around but I can hear faint voices coming from bedrooms. I thought about the computer in the office, wondering if they would allow us to contact work ourselves, or use it in general once the internet was set up this week. Merle had mentioned it was due Monday, ready for the first paying guests to check in. Surely we could start to protest our stay if we were here longer than the week, especially when my clean underwear was quickly depleting.
The office was at the back of the house, down a corridor which roomed a giant master suite that the guys occupied permanently. Opposite their room, was a giant oak door engraved with vines, leaves and a variety of toadstools. These little details were why I had instantly fallen in love with Nightingale house.
Cardinal directly behind me as we both enter, the room thankfully is unlocked. Taking in the gentleman style with walllamps, a dark green paint and rich red leather chairs dotted around the room, a large oak desk sits underneath the window. A bar cart is to our right, as well as a taxidermy grey bear. Creeped out, I step back, but he just starts to search in its open jaws. The thing is exactly his height.
“What are you doing?” I close the door quietly and move into the center of the room.
“Looking for the clue. It seemed like a good place to hide one.” It made sense, but nothing in the clue indicated a giant dead animal.
After finding it empty he turns to take in the rest of the room, scanning down the bookcase that is situated in the right corner next to the drinks trolley. Leaving him to hunt, I run my hand along the warm wood of the desk that’s basked in the sun all day. Now shadows dance along the floor, making me notice that all of the wall lamps were on. Paperwork scattered the table, messy scribbled handwriting which I recognised as Corbins. I could never understand his handwriting, not that he’d ever written me notes or even a birthday card for that matter. I just knew from when he was working, that if I ever looked over his shoulder it was like an infant had half attempted to write. I couldn't see his laptop and I was pretty sure the guy's computer had lived on this desk, so maybe the detectives took it yesterday.
Opening the drawers, there is typical stationery and more papers, but nothing seems suspicious. Quickly scanning around me, aside from the missing computer something else feels off.
“If we didn’t have internet this weekend and the signal sucks,how did he work here Friday?” I voice out loud, Cardinal turning from the bookshelf to look at me. “I’ve tried taking calls here, but they don't connect. Hell, I practically walked onto the main road and headed in the direction of the village before, just for one or two bars.”
“If he wasn't working, what do you think he would be doing?”
“Well he’s not the type to hide in a room and nap all day. I know he was here with your sister, but I saw her plenty on her own, so I doubt they were just hanging out.” I don't mention witnessing the outdoor blowjob. Scanning the papers again I pick a couple of sheets up, but they all look like bills for the property or mention of Corbin's company. Nothing to do with the weekend's game.
He sighs. “The clue isn't here. Is there another study?”
My stomach dips, taking my heart with it. “Yeah actually. Move the copy of Dracula and there's a door latch.” I say, watching his brow furrow as his head snaps back around to the bookcase. He takes the full thing in, examining the shallow depth and how most books look attached together. Fake books, cut short.
