"Oh, we don't let him interview common criminals," said Lapointe, sounding amused.
"But wait, if you were mad at Wicket for not coming across," said Julian, "why Camellia? He would definitely have taken you as a lover."
"He just wanted a fling, as though I'm some trifle!" she said, haughtiness back in force. "As if I was some kind of, of game animal to be caught and discarded!"
"And Lady Applewhite?" asked Lapointe, looking at her list.
She huffed. "That little goody two-shoes," was all she was willing to say, which made Alex wonder if she'd even known who was getting the tray, or if she'd decided they were all against her and deserved to die.
It was well into the afternoon by then, time flying between forensics and the rest. Jessamine had even managed to identify Halliwell as the noble lady who'd bumped into her, once the other jacket was brought out to demonstrate how she changed her appearance. Everyone was exhausted from all thebureaucracy and Halliwell's continued bad attitude, not that they'd expect any less from a murderess.
The only thing they really had going for them was that with the poisoner caught and cuffed, everyone could have food and drink again, finally.
People were also released to go home as forensics finished with their rooms, and Chudleigh spent a lot of time in the foyer saying his farewells and promising a murder-free good time at his next event. Alex and Julian popped down a few times to keep him apprised so Lapointe could deal with the business of proving that the Lady in question was guilty beyond any kind of string-pulling doubt.
Dr. Geoff mostly stayed with him, though he did insist on checking over Miss Winterson before she left.
"I think she should see her regular doctor, just to be sure there's no lasting effects," said Geoff, "but really she's fine."
"We did good, saving her," said Julian with a happy little smile that made Alex's heart melt a little.
"We did," agreed Alex. "I wish something could've saved Wicket, he seems like he was a perfectly harmless victim here. Camellia, well. At least Applewhite is okay?"
They all laughed as they were meant to, but then the widow came down with her packed bags to say her goodbyes. They gave their condolences, but then Alex and Julian escaped the conversation to check on whether they, too, were allowed to leave. James and Jacques were shadowing them still, but in a more social waythan before, though they'd faded into the background when Lady Herbert came down.
"When will you set us free?" asked Alex plaintively, giving Lapointe giant puppy eyes.
She huffed. "You'll come in tomorrow for statements?" she asked.
"I'll make them," said Jacques. "We'd like to get them home so Alex can stop radiating stress and get a little rest. He's only mostly over the poisoning, no matter what he says."
"Hey," said Alex. "That was a secret." He really did feel mostly better, but he could feel weariness creeping up that was making him cranky. Well, crankier.
"Not to us," said James dryly. "So, are we cut loose?"
"As long as you two promise to keep them safe, yeah," said Lapointe. "I'd hate to lose the case because one of these two idiots vanished before the trial."
"We will," said Jacques. "We'll install them in their stupid bathtub and that'll make even Alex relax."
Alex wrinkled his nose at Jacques but then relented. "You're not wrong," he admitted. "I could definitely use a soothing bath and a nap. I feel like a cranky, tired toddler."
"I'll just text Jones," said Julian, giving him a teasing look. "And Smithson, who we should thank again before we vanish."
"Also he'll probably help with the luggage," said Alex. "Uh, assuming forensics is done with us?"
"We had them do you early on, victims and suspects alike," she said. "You're fine, go on. We'll see you tomorrow for lunch."
"See you then," said Alex, relaxing a little for the first time since Wicket had died, really. A part of him had been on alert for the next threat, the next poisoned cup, the next misstep that would lose him his Julian or even his own life.
He kept hoping their luck wouldn't run out this time, but he knew one day it might, and it would be more than a broken arm or an afternoon's illness.
He texted Smithson and they all four met the man up in their rooms. Alex whistled a little magical tune to see if they'd left any stray possessions and found a handkerchief under the chair, hiding out where no one would see it for days.
"Sneaky," said Alex, bending down to retrieve it.
Julian whistled at the view.
"Hey," Alex protested falsely, coming over to gather Julian close and kiss him. He looked at the hankie in his hand and chuckled. "I believe this is yours, good sir?"
