"I know!" said Winterson. "I was so shocked that it was him."
"Alex is a bit terrible at the motive part," said Julian sympathetically, patting Alex's leg. "That's why he's usually busy with the magic bits."
"But the magic bits were obvious this time, though really I should be out there chasing down the vial or whatever was used." Alex flopped dramatically over Julian. "Whyyyyy is Lapointe not here? Stupid snow."
"Stupid snow," agreed Julian, kissing the side of his head and shoving him upright. "All right, I think we're done with you, so you can have them bring in the next one. Periwig or Halliwell, or I guess Berkelshire?"
"I'll get the maid to bring someone in," she said kindly, setting down her mostly-full cup of tea. "Perhaps you can find someone to assist you, once you've talked to everyone, if this part isn't your usual."
"Maybe," said Alex. "I'm a little afraid to ask anyone who wasn't in the room, except perhaps our wink murderer. She seems nice enough."
"She is very kind," said Winterson. "She's been encouraging me despite my abysmal Season, which produced not a single date."
"Oh, that sounds terrible," said Julian. "You seem quite lovely, though?"
Winterson chuckled rather wryly, standing and brushing out her dress. "I'm afraid I've opened my mouth and had opinions a few times too many for most of the current crop of available lords."
"Ohhhh," said Alex. "They're chicken."
She giggled. "I suppose you could say that," she said, moving to the door and speaking to the maid before going all the way out and closing it after herself.
Alex flopped again.
"They won't all be that easy," said Julian. "For all we know, she has opinions about Wicket and wanted him dead, you know."
"It's just so stupid," said Alex. "Why bother with murder? There's just no real point to it, I've seen that play out time and time again. It's not good for magic power, it's not good for solving interpersonal conflict, it's just so stupid."
"I know, darling," said Julian, kissing his nose. "But people are people, and they do stupid murders sometimes."
"Excuse me?" said the person in the doorway, one Lady Halliwell.
"Sorry, sorry," said Alex, sitting up. "I'm not great with the human parts of the investigation, I'm usually shuffled off to collect evidence."
"Of course," she said, as if that answered anything. "Is there more tea?"
The maid bustled in and nodded to Alex behind Halliwell's back.
"Yes, she'll refresh us," said Alex. "What was your name?"
"Alice, sir," she said, bobbing a curtsey.
"Well, thank you, Alice." Julian rather thought that might get confusing, except for how the training from their Alys was too ingrained by now.
"Please, have a seat," said Julian, motioning to the chair everyone had used so far.
"Thank you," she said, tone implying that at least someone here had manners and it wasn't Alex. "If you're not good at investigating, why are you doing it?"
Alex sighed. "I am very good at parts of investigating, it used to be my job, but not these parts. So, as the only person with any experience, here I am, doing the hard bits with Julian to keep me from being too feral about it."
Julian felt rather as if he might just give up on life at this point, trying to keep Alex from offending this bristly woman. "Don't mind him, he really isn't as bad as he seems," said Julian. "You take it with a bit of lemon, correct?"
"Yes, however did you know?" Halliwell said, relaxing again.
Julian could practically feel the maid's gratitude as she brought over a tray with a clean cup and a dish of lemon slices for Miss Halliwell, and a fresh pot of tea. She whisked away the old pot and Winterson's cup, and then made herself scarce as well, presumably posted up just outside.
Julian hoped she had a chair.
"Now, Miss Halliwell," said Julian, "You were standing behind the couch, to Wicket's right, correct?"
