"He's got the sheets booby trapped to alert him somehow," explained Julian, amused at their faces. "He's put everything under preservation charms, evidence and bodies alike."
"Everything should be fresh, so to speak," said Alex. "Once you start mucking about with it, the charms will fade, but I can come remove them, too, just in case they'll interfere forensically."
"You're useful, anyway," said Lapointe. "All right, we'll go rouse some more nobles while you two get your act together."
"I'll text you when we're done so we can find you," said Alex. "I think there's a whole second parlour they never opened, in which no one's been poisoned yet, and probably at least a study or office you could take over."
"We'll figure it out," said Lapointe.
Then, much like on the phone, she turned and left without saying goodbye. Thomas waved with a sheepish grin as he shut the door on the way out, but that was fine. They didn't need niceties, just to solve these stupid murders and go home.
Someone had been paying attention, because breakfast was piled with things they'd both eaten the day before, so they fell to hungrily without bothering to make idle conversation, given the hurry. It was as good as ever, if rather boring, and Alex thought he might actually feel back up to snuff once they were done.
Especially if they emptied both the pot of coffee and the tea that had also come on the tray.
Soon enough they were washed up and dressed, with Horace choosing to come with Alex, and the kittens promising to stay in the room. It helped that they'd gotten food and crunchy treats while the two men dressed, but also that they didn't really want to go out into the house where people kept dying.
Despite being on police business, they still got dressed as if for the house party, complete with cravats and the rest of it. Julian was in warm russets and golden browns today, while Alex wore a suit Gerard had talked him into that he secretly loved, in a verydeep burgundy with a subtle windowpane check. The matching waistcoat was simple and comfortable, so the only part he really objected to was the stupid cravat, but Julian wouldn't let him leave it off, so he had garnets for his pin and cufflinks rather than ostentatious rubies.
When given his own choices, Alex actually preferred not to look like a posh git.
Julian was wearing gold in the shape of leaves for his accessories, which gleamed in the wan winter sun coming through the open curtains.
"You look gorgeous as always," said Alex, kissing him sweetly. "Do we clash?"
"A little, maybe," said Julian, "but yours is dark enough it's not a big deal."
"Good," said Alex with a little smirk. "Come on, let's go find Lapointe so she can mock me for wearing something that's not black."
He'd at least chosen a white shirt instead of the pale pink that went with the suit.
They texted to find that she had indeed taken over one of the rooms that hadn't been opened to party guests, with Chudleigh's grateful permission, and headed down to get a servant to direct them.
"Oh, sirs, you're not meant to be out!" said an exasperated maid they'd not met yet.
"I'm looking for where the police officers are, in Chudleigh's private study?" said Alex. "We're expected."
She relaxed. "All right, then," she said, and then explained how to get there in short, easy directions.
"Thanks," he said, and then they slipped behind one of the doors they hadn't been through yet and down a warmly decorated hallway to where he could hear voices coming from a closed door.
They paused, then Alex shrugged and knocked.
"If it's Alex, come in. If it's anyone else, go back to your rooms!" said Lapointe, sounding frustrated.
"Oh, dear," said Julian as they entered the room to find Miss Winterson sitting in a chair opposite where Lapointe was behind a heavy antique desk. "Have there been many interruptions?"
"More than there should have been," said Thomas darkly. "Coroner's almost here, along with the forensics van, so you two may get to go lifting spells soon."
"They've been ever so helpful," said Winterson, eyes shining bright and cheeks back to the flush of health. "They saved my life with that Dr. Tamlinson that Chuds is dating."
"How could we possibly let such a light go out?" said Alex.
Julian poked him through their bond, and gave him a look that meant he knew Alex was quoting.
She giggled and blushed happily, though, so he figured it was worth it. "Well, I'm almost done, I think?"
"Tell us again about your teacup," said Lapointe. "You've already remembered a lot more just by talking it through."
