"‘Tis simple, brother. Scott managed to get into me chambers through Ida. If I remember correctly, every maid has a key to their master's chambers in case of emergencies. Me guess is that he forced the key or stole the key from Ida and gave it to Erica, who could easily enter me chambers under the disguise of being me maid. Hector is framing me for attacking him because he, Scott, and Erica are all working together. As fer Ida, she was murdered by one of them because I had me suspicions about Davinia's missing key and had her snoop around fer me. Me guess is that she was caught, most likely by Scott who murdered her to keep everything a secret."
"And what do ye think they would gain out of all of this? This murder, theft and treachery. Nae to mention that would mean that they also set fire to the fields and granaries." Emer directed her question to Davinia, who shook her head.
"I can only understand Hector might have done it because he did nae want to lose his position to Gawain. As fer Scott and Erica, I’ve nae idea." Davinia concluded before a loud voice echoed behind them.
"Erica, why on earth would you run into the dungeon? You keep running off these days, you leave your work to me, and I get scolded by Miss Davinia when I cannot finish them all. Not today, I’ve had enough of your…" The servant rounded the corner and paused, staring wide-eyed at the group. "Oh, I’m so sorry. I did not ken she was being summoned." The servant gave a deep bow and was about to leave when Caillen stopped her.
"Wait!"
"Yes, my lord?" The maid skidded to a halt, turning around to face Caillen, who then pointed at Erica.
"Ye ken this lass?" The servant nodded. "Ye said she runs off often? Can ye explain?"
"Well...for the past few days now, she just runs off." Davinia quirked a brow at the servant who had obviously taken that as an opportunity to rant and rat out her fellow servant. "She leaves her part of the work for me, and by the time I’m done with it, I’ve no time to finish mine, which gets me a scolding. Though sometimes, I do not question it as she’s either summoned by Sir Hector or Sir Scott, but other times, she just goes and does not come back until everyone is fast asleep. Like the night before yesterday. She did not return until it was almost morning, and when I tried to talk to her, she snapped at me."
"I see. Thank ye. Ye may leave." The servant nodded before she ran off, leaving all eyes on Erica.
Emer spoke first, "The day before yesterday was when Ida was murdered as Gawain had started to search for her only yesterday morning."
Caillen nodded, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyes did a sweep from Hector to Erica. "If that is the case, Erica, ye should be able to give me a valid explanation to why ye just run off from yer duties, what ye do fer Hector and Scott and why ye returned so late the night before yesterday?"
Chapter Thirty
Gawain tightened his grip on Davinia's waist, causing her to look up at him, but his gaze was fixed on the servant before them. Erica visibly shook. Her lips trembled as she stumbled over her words. Davinia could not follow what was being said, and it seemed neither could Caillen.
"Nae one can understand what ye’re saying. I asked ye fer an explanation, Erica. Let us start with what ye did fer Scott and Hector when they summon ye." Erica went mute, her head bowed low as Caillen continued. "Ye have nae answer fer that? Alright then, why did ye return so late the night Ida was murdered. If I recall properly, ye said ye saw Gawain dragging Ida's body toward the garden because ye could nae sleep. Which would mean ye had initially been in the servant's quarters but yer friend who I suppose ye share a chamber with, said ye left during the day and came back late at night. Yer story is nae adding up, Erica."
"N…nae, she must have misunderstood." Erica weakly countered only to go quiet again when Caillen raised a brow at her in question.
"Ye could have said something to counter her when she was still here. I can still call her back, ye ken?" Erica shook her head before she took a step away from Caillen, who watched her, unfazed as a small sob escaped her lips as her tears gathered at her chin, dropping down to the stone floor. "Are ye willing to tell us the truth now?" Erica whimpered as she shook her head.
"Me lord, she’s scared. It is obvious that her attacker's presence terrifies her. She’s still hurt and nae even in the right frame of mind." Hector stepped in for Erica, but Caillen did not look impressed.
"Ye have a habit of speaking fer people when they do nae need ye to. Erica can speak. Let her do so herself." Gawain countered almost immediately. "What is the matter, Erica? If me presence bothers ye so much, then perhaps I should step back in the cell or ye—"
"Nae!" Erica cried as she fell to her knees, fat tears streaming down her face like the other day just as Davinia recalled, although this time, Davinia doubted Erica would be getting any sympathy. "I admit it, I admit!"
"What are ye admitting?" Caillen stepped up to her, crouching to reach her eye level.
"I was the one who stole the papers b…but I did nae ken they were the deeds. I just took them and put them in Sir Gawain's chambers so ye could believe me when I tell ye he attacked me. Me lord, ye’ve to understand. He’s a highborn, and I’m just a servant. Who would believe me if I say he tried to kill me? Ye...ye’ve to understand!" Erica rambled on, her lips quivering, but Davinia was not fooled.
"Me lord, I understand why the girl did it. The matter could be cast aside if Gawain had simply said she was lying. Nae one would ever suspect him of the murder and the assault if she did nae have—"
"Why are ye supporting her so much, Hector?" Emer cut off the man, who shuffled backwards a little at the question. "What she did was wrong, and if we are to believe her story, she says she stole the deeds and the plans. How could she have gotten in? Yer key was missing, which would also mean Erica either stole it from ye or ye gave it to her. That is quite suspicious. I also find it suspicious because yer keys went missing during the fire when ye were assaulted by Gawain as ye claimed. If that were true, then why would Erica have yer key to gain access to the laird's study?"
"Better still, let me ask Erica." Caillen directed his gaze back to the crying maid. "Yer fellow servant mentioned that Scott and Hector often called out fer ye. She was extremely specific about those two. Are they the only two ye serve in the keep?"
"Me lord—" Caillen raised a finger to Hector, shutting him up immediately, much to Gawain's amusement, who snickered beside Davinia.
"I was nae talking to ye, Hector. Know yer place." It was hard to miss the look of shock that registered on Hector's face as Erica started to cry again. "Enough of yer nonsense, lass. Tell me the truth!"
Erica sniffled loudly, wiping her reddened face with her sleeve before pointing an accusatory finger at Hector. "I…it was him! He asked me to do everything. The pot, the fire, the assault and the murder, it was all him!"
"Ah, this is starting to get interesting." Gawain leaned back against the cell doors, a leg crossed over the other, a smug smirk on his lips. Davinia looked back at the scene in front of them and the back at Gawain.
"Ye should nae be so relaxed yet, Gawain. We do nae ken what lies she will spin next." She tried to warn him, but he waved it off, clasping his hand over hers.
"What do ye mean he caused everything?" Davinia's attention shifted to the scene once more.
