"Oh, well, magic. But I didn't hear anything unusual, not until I started listening for the venom itself, which has very quiet, insidious melodies for all it's deadly." Alex was talking mostly to his husband at that point, though he kept one eye on Periwig's reactions.
She looked appalled at all of it, which he thought was a healthy attitude for murder.
"So, were you the first bumped?" asked Julian.
"I think he got Miss Winterson and Miss Berkelshire at the same time, honestly, and then Winterson reared back and got me, and I bumped into Halliwell, though she might also have been bumped by Winterson, as I remember she was already off-kilter and nearly lost her balance." Periwig was thinking, eyes up and expression pensive as she tried to remember. "The servant was already out of reach, at least, but it was nearly a disaster."
"It was a disaster for Wicket," said Alex, not really thinking before he spoke.
She gasped. "Well, I suppose!"
Alex sighed. "Anyway, thank you for your time. You didn't kill him, did you?"
She got even more offended looking and stood. "No, I did not, and I don't have to stay here and be insulted. Good evening!"
She stomped off, and the maid came in to ask who they wanted next.
"No one," said Alex grumpily.
"Don't mind him, Alice." said Julian. "We'd like more snacks and Miss Berkelshire, please, and a fresh pot of tea."
"Yes, sirs," she said, taking herself off to accomplish all of these things in good order.
Alex slumped against Julian again. "I want my Murielle," he whined.
"Yeah," said Julian, petting his hair. "Me, too."
Chapter 14
Alex straightened up again when he heard the doorknob, not eager to be caught out again. "Miss Berkelshire," said Alex, as that worthy came into the room. "Please, have a seat. Alice will bring us tea momentarily."
"Your other request is on the way," said Alice, taking the cold pot to replace again, as well as the used teacup.
"Thanks," said Julian, turning back to their fifth interviewee. "So, you were on Wicket's right?"
"Yes, dear Wicket, he was entertaining us all with tales of his time overseas, buying tea for the family business. He met his wife on one of those tours, isn't it romantic?" she said, sighing.
Alex smiled at her and said, "You weren't bothered by his flirting?"
"Oh, no, he never meant anything by it. It's, well, it was just his way, wanting to make every lady feel special," said Berkelshire sadly. "He'll be missed at parties, he was ever so fun to talk with."
"He did seem to always have a crowd of admirers," said Julian. "His wife will miss him, too, she did really seem to understand about everything."
"Lady Darlington is terrifying but actually quite kind to those of us who enjoyed her husband's company," said Berkelshire. "She might be more terrifying for how kind she is, she's so reserved."
Alice poured their teas, and there was a moment of quiet as everyone fixed up their cups to their individual tastes. "Really, we were all having a congenial evening until, well."
"So Wicket bumped you?" asked Julian gently.
"Oh, yes, he got me with an elbow, thankfully not at all hard. I won't even bruise from it, but it did put me off-balance, and I bumped into Lady Knapweed, who nearly spilled right onto my dress," said Berkelshire. "It was quite the chain reaction, but Wicket even managed to gulp down a bit of his brandy before setting it down." She gave a sad little laugh. "I guess that was the fatal swallow."
"I expect it was," said Alex. "You're the only one so far who saw him drink, so thank you for adding that to the timeline."
"Oh, like a real investigation," she said, trying not to look delighted given the sad subject matter.
"I am a real investigator," assured Alex. "I don't normally do this part, interviewing witnesses, but I've solved a number of murders with my absent Agent friends."
"Then Wicket's in good hands," said Berkelshire.
