“If they knew I was going to be the new Keeper, then they’d know I was a low-level magic user who’d escaped their round-up,” replied Remy.
“I don’t know, babe…maybe whoever’s behind this got the information illegally and wouldn’t want to disclose how he did it if he was pushed,” Carson said.
“That makes sense especially since black magic was used,” murmured Remy. “Mystia, did you report the use of black magic to the Council?”
“Of course,” Mystia confirmed.
“What happened?” asked Remy.
“They wouldn’t do anything until I gave them the witches’ names,” Mystia said.
“Really?” asked Remy, beginning to get suspicious.
“That’s fucked up,” Carson said.
“No shit,” Remy said. “What good is the council if they refuse to investigate a claim of black magic being used. That’s something I’m going to change.”
“I’ll add it to the list, babe,” smirked Carson. “The lack of an inquiry does support the theory that someone on the Governing Council hired these witches.”
“It certainly does,” Remy agreed. “But I still can’t see what they hoped to accomplish…the only one who was hurt was Artur…well, Fionn actually.”
“It might help if I could view the other sites where damage occurred,” suggested Mystia.
“I want to see your spreadsheet,” Carson said. “I might be able to see a pattern regarding the dates the attacks happened.”
“Fine, let’s go to my office,” replied Remy. “It’s this way.”
Chapter 39
Throwing down the spreadsheet in frustration, Carson was unable to find any pattern to the attacks, causing him to grit his teeth in anger. It was as if a blindfolded person had thrown a dart and wherever it landed determined when and where the acts of sabotage would occur. Leaning back in his chair, he stared at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind of all emotions so his brain could work without being hampered.
Ticking off what he knew, Carson listed them in his mind, hoping it might give him a different perspective.Remy was right, the attacks happened after Fionn’s father died; they are also spread across all of Artur’s businesses but the winery has suffered the ones that were most costly; the last four occurred closer together than the first ones did…what was that date?Picking up the spreadsheet, Carson checked it, then frowned.Why does that date seem so familiar to me?
Concentrating on the last four dates, he started with the most recent one.That’s the date Fionn, Hunter and I arrived in Paris.Making a separate spreadsheet, he entered that information. He noted the attack previous to that one occurred a little more than a week before they arrived…unusual since it was the only time two attacks had taken place that close together. Entering that date, Carson stared at it.Holy shit!That’s the date of Fionn’s court hearing regarding the distribution of assets—and when Hunter was kidnapped.
Quickly writing that in the appropriate column, Carson smiled grimly. He was on to something, he just knew it, and he’d bet the attacks were connected to Fionn, not Remy. Quickly moving on, he looked at the next date.Of course, that’s when Fionn was declared an adult.NowI’m on the right track! By the time he finished, a pattern had emerged—all pointing to the young dragon.Butwhy, why, why Fionn?That was still a mystery.
Gathering up his documentation, Carson wished Hunter was around but he’d just have to wait till they returned from Fionn’s hoard. Looking up, he saw Mystia and his mate appear. Smiling at them he asked, “Are you finished?”
“Yeah,” Remy replied. “We went to each location but unfortunately, we couldn’t find proof the other attacks involved black magic.”
“Do you think there could be more than one person involved?” asked Carson.
Shrugging, Remy replied, “Mystia doesn’t think so and I haven’t a clue. Did you find anything?”
“Here, take a look and tell me what you think,” Carson said, handing his spreadsheet to his mate.
Remy’s eyes widened the further he read; when he’d finished, he passed it over to Mystia. “Are you sure about the dates, Carsy?”
“Yep, I double checked them.”
“Then these attacks are related to Fionn?”
“Looks that way,” Carson said. “However, this is just a working theory. Right now, we don’t know why or who’s responsible.”
“Do you think Fionn would know…or at least have an idea?” asked Remy.
“I don’t think so,” Carson said. “If he did, then Hunter would know also and he’d have said something at the meeting with Dire Enterprises, before they left for France.”
