"Is it important?" asked Thomas.
"Yes, but not urgent," said Alex.
Julian looked a little pouty about that, but then Lapointe called out, "Go on and let them in."
"All right," agreed Thomas, stepping back so they all four filed in, with James and Jacques posting up on other side of the door so Thomas could move into the room and sit on the reading chair set up to one side of the room.
Jessamine came to the end of her tale, gesturing to them and making it sound like they'd swooped in heroically instead of in a muddled panic, which made Lapointe shoot them an amused look.
"All right, you can go," said Lapointe. "But tell one of the people in this room if you remember anything else, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Jessamine, scampering out not like she was afraid, but just like she had somewhere else to be, which was likely true given how busy all the servants were right now.
"So," said Lapointe, "What's the news?"
Chapter 29
After explaining the strange coincidence of three of their suspects potentially knowing sleight of hand, rather than actual magic, all six of them decided it was time for coffee and a snack. Alex got Smithson to bring in a tray and he was thanked with great feeling by everyone involved.
"All right," said Alex, sitting on one of the chairs Smithson had also brought in, "how are things looking?"
"Well, we'll talk to every single stupid noble here, and then release them one at a time," said Lapointe, "but we won't release the suspicious ladies until we have to, unless we manage to actually arrest one."
"Do you have your minions looking into the snake angle?" said Alex. "Because that's the weirdest skill here, being able to milk snakes."
"Is it really called that?" said Thomas, and they all nodded.
"It's not hard, I looked it up," said Julian, "but it's a little dangerous if you don't have the specific equipment, mainly the bite-proof gloves."
"You can fake up the other thing by stretching a condom or even a couple of layers of plastic wrap over the top of a glass," added Alex, "but it's still dangerous to handle the snake itself."
"Gotta have quick hands for all of it," said Lapointe. "I know who I'd prefer it was based on demeanour, but that's not always or even often probative."
Julian took a bite of one of the little hors d'oeuvres that they'd been brought, which were probably originally intended for one of Chudleigh's planned activities that were not to be. The stuffed mushroom cap was filled with breadcrumbs, cheese, and smoked oysters, and delicious as anything. "Oh, the kitchen here does such a good job with these classics," he said.
"No one's dared poison the food yet," commented Thomas. "Scrump says only the cups were dusted, none of the food. Our killer has something against tea, I guess."
"Mine was coffee, and Camellia's was a cocktail," said Alex. "So it's drinks in general, I guess. And I'm glad we have these bezoars."
"You're going to make some for yourself, I bet," said James, watching as Alex pulled his out to look at again.
"Of course he is," said Julian fondly. "As soon as we're home, he'll be down in his mad wizard lab seeing if he can make a batch."
"They're not hard to make, but I'm not sure I have the right stones," said Alex, putting it away. "I can get them, though."
"Maybe we'll make them during the waiting," said James. "We were told that we aren't to leave you two until the murderer's arrested, and even if that's today, to hang out a few days and see what's up with the Source."
"Nice," said Julian. "You know you're always welcome."
"I can order in the stones if Jones will do the delivery. He's hanging out with the servants, I think?" Alex looked at his phone but didn't unlock it yet.
"He is, yeah. He can bring the house a delivery or three tomorrow, I'm sure Alys will have things she wants, too," said Jacques.
"Always," said Alex.
"I've got it, you just take care of your wishlist," said Julian, texting Alys and then Jones and trusting the two of them to organise it all. She knew most of Alex's suppliers by now, and the bezoar stones weren't jeweller-level purchases. Though at this point the jewel suppliers would also probably fill an order for her, as long as it was paid for.
"You know me too well," said Alex, poking through his phone. He kept a hodgepodge of notes, to-do lists, wish lists, and photos of other lists on there, and somehow managed to pull what he needed out of the chaos all the time.
