Alex chuckled. "Yeah, sorry, this is all from the other guests. I mean, even I can see why you'd invite McGuinness, he's gotthat same 'everyone is great' attitude as Chudleigh does. And Gallowglass, she's as much one of the lads as anyone."
"I'm not as sure about a few of them, but I assume there was some other social reason to invite them," said Julian, making a face. "Camellia was a bore, and that snobbish Winston-Smythe from my courtship is here, too. He was nice enough, but definitely not party material to me."
"Perhaps you should ask Chudleigh his reasons," said Jacques.
Alex sighed. "I think we should leave that to Lapointe, but I will in fact suggest it to her, because I still don't think I should be involved in the motive part of any investigation anymore."
He got out his phone and texted, while the other three explored the two trays of snacks and freshened up everyone's coffee. Nothing set off the bezoars, so soon enough everyone was munching on leftover pies and walnut bread with soft cheese, while Alex and Lapointe had a lively text conversation.
"She's certainly paying you a lot of attention if she's supposed to be interviewing," said Julian.
"She handed me off to Thomas immediately," said Alex with a chuckle. "He's gotten a servant to send for Chudleigh, and sends his hellos to you two as well."
"Hello back," said James.
"We should tell Geoff we're here, too," said Jacques, getting out his own phone. "We haven't crossed paths nearly often enough."
"We can add him to our impromptu picnic here if he brings a cup," said Julian, sipping happily at the nice, strong tea.
Fortunately, the knock that came at the door a few minutes later was no emergency at all, just their friend.
Chapter 28
"Let's test his cup," said Alex, letting Geoff into the room and stealing it from his hands.
He was very surprised indeed to hear a sharp glissando of music as whatever was tainting the cup was neutralised by the bezoar.
"Oh, no," said Julian. "Where did you get this?"
"Off a tray one of the maids was taking to someone's room," said Geoff. "She promised there was an extra for me to take, but we'd best go intercept."
"Do you remember which maid?" asked Alex, immediately calling Smithson while James left the room, looking for someone with a tray.
"Oh, um. The stout girl, with the braids," said Geoff, drifting behind James. "Jessamine?"
"Yes, sir?" said the maid, head popping out of one of the doors.
"Don't let anyone eat!" cried Geoff, seeing her empty-handed. "The cup you gave me was poisoned, so the whole tray is evidence."
"Oh, mistress, you mustn't drink that!" said Jessamine, heading into the room with James hot on her heels. Julian, who'd beenhovering in the doorway, took himself and his bezoar to their mystery guest's doorway instead only to find Lady Applewhite staring in horror at the cup in her hand as James gently took it away from her.
James had her hold the bezoar, just in case of contamination, and then took up the whole tray. "Can you show me where the forensics techs are, Jessamine, and tell me about who you saw while you had this?"
"Oh, well, one of the ladies was coming out of Lord Chudleigh's study and nearly bumped into me, but otherwise I didn't see anyone," she said. "You don't think it was her, do you?"
"We do," said Julian, motioning for Alex and James, who locked up and followed the procession like ducklings while Applewhite had vapours.
Julian texted Lapointe that whoever had just left the office was probably guilty, and they'd had another attempt and to send up forensics again.
Lapointe texted back some frustrated emojis and explained that all four of the suspects had just left after she'd questioned them together about Lord Nonami-Finklewick.
"This is the worst," said Alex, growling. "How is she so good at hiding in plain sight?"
"Maybe she knows sleight of hand," said Julian, though he'd meant it mostly as a joke. "I mean, if she did, that would explain how no one ever sees it happen."
"We're assigning a lot of skills to one noblewoman," said Jacques, "Snake charming, sleight of hand. What's next, escape artistry?"
"I mean, if it was a hobby, it could all be the same hobby," said Alex. "Some magicians do use snakes in their acts."
