Chapter 26 Robin
Chapter twenty-six
Robin
WREN had opted to go make us coffee, but because he refused to let me leave my new place of rest–he didn't chuckle when I referred to it as the death bed of comfort–we wedged the large wooden door of the library open, in time for Cardinal to take over babysitting me.
Confirming he'd checked on Willow, I had to stick my tongue out mentally at Lil because I wasn't as dense as she'd portrayed me to be.
I noticed the way they both looked for one another when all the guests were together and I was certain something had happened between them.
Like hell either would admit to anything, but my not-so-rose-coloured spider senses tingled at the intense way they observed each other.
He's not that strict of a watcher and doesn't say anything as I paced along the wall of books, whilst he pokes around at the logs next to the fire, humming.
“I wouldn’t put it past Phoenix to buy fake logs for the aesthetic. Shall we try and light it?”
I’m unable to hide my smirk. “Oh, you know him so well now? Besties are you? Cardy, are you coming to steal my best friend? I won’t allow it.”
He scoffs. “Fuck off, Drew—keep him. I just mean he’s not the type to get his hands dirty.”
“You’re not wrong and I think he’d love to have you as a friend. We all would.”
Cardinal looks over his shoulder from where he’s crouched and offers me a genuine smile, which I return. He might play the grump, but I knew I’d wear him down eventually.
“You totally want us all to be friends.” I know I’ve pushed too hard when he grumbles numerous curses and returns to poking around the fireplace.
I hope he’s not serious about lighting the thing; despite the rain outside, it’s still warm.
In fact, it’s incredibly stuffy in here; opening a couple of windows wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Getting to work, I cross the room past the scatter of tables and grab a chair to open up the tall windows, the glass only opening a fraction because I’m not that strong, but I attach it to the latch and accept it’s better than nothing.
Sunshine is desperately trying to peek through the clouds, and I felt like it had been such a long time since I’d seen any tone in the sky other than grey.
I missed blue, the pink hues that turned to orange in summer and how the countryside glowed.
I attack the next window and then finally get to the third, scraping the wooden chair along the floor till it’s in the perfect position for me to reach.
Stepping up, I pop open the windowpane and look out over the new herb garden and into the dark forest that sits back from the house.
I think about my weird dream and I still don’t understand why Maggie had been the one featuring in it, shouting for me to work harder and hurry up.
The faceless gardener had been so weird; I couldn’t even conjure up a face now, but I imagine he’d have unruly brown hair under his hat and facial hair to match his crumbled work clothing.
Was I just imagining one of the Dingles from Emmerdale? Shit, I think I was.
“No fucking way—look what I found.” Cardinal distracts me from my thoughts of countryside television and farming.
I turn to find the unexpected in his hands; a crisp red envelope with the ominous rolled-up paper attached.
Knowing we had a handful left to find, hunting clues seemed so far down on my priority list, I hadn’t even worried over finding my own.
Could it help piece it all together if it was my secret?
Running my sudden sweaty palm against my borrowed clothes, I step down from the chair and walk across the room, meeting him as he gets up from the ground. His features sit in that comfortable frown he always wears, handing me the envelope so he can uncurl the long strip of paper.
Mr Baker’s sister isn’t as faithful as he thinks. Nearly one million and counting knocked off the books for a rainy-day escape.
“Oh boy. Cardinal.” I start, but shut my mouth firmly when he turns and kicks the fire guard straight into the bricks and a cloud of ash falls from inside. A feral noise straight from his chest erupts and I scramble back to give him space.
“Fuck! Fucking, fuck, fuck.” He chants, ripping at his usually perfectly swept hair and screwing up the secret. Beginning to pace, he looks at me and then to the floor, repeating the action, breathing hard. “You can’t tell anyone we found that.”
I hold up my hands. “I promise. I’ve kept your secret, remember? But if you do want to talk about it, I’m here.”
Running his thumb over his lip, he shakes his head.
“Dad knew someone was skimming from the books; he had an investigation in place and lots of people got…taken care of. Aya suddenly appears with Corbin, who swoops in and arranges connections with investors and everything’s forgotten.
” He huffs, pointing at me. “Your ex was a fucking piece of work. That secret was typed.”
I raise a brow, palms splayed out wide. “I’m very aware. Why would he include his own fiancée in the game? Your sister seemed happy this weekend.”
He shakes his head. “I overheard him and Dad throwing the word arranged around and took it as something to do with work. Fuck—what has she got herself into.” Cardinal resembles a dragon ready to blow fire with the way his nostrils flare, small glances in my direction as he continues to pace.
I close my eyes as a wave of dizziness hits me again, my stomach grumbling as a reminder I still haven’t been fed. Slapping the envelope against my hand, I tear it open because I can’t think of anything else to do right now as the grumpy dragon continues to tear up the carpet with his shoes.
Murder whispers through each page, A brilliant mind created with age.
Thankfully, the scent of coffee fills my senses as I fall flat on this one, the clue surely referring to a book, which is funny because we’re standing in a room lined with them.
“I found pastries still fresh and Cardy mate, I couldn't find that weird tea you've been drinking, but I made you a coffee.” Wren says, entering with his hands full. In a couple of long strides, he discards our breakfast on a table and has his hands on me, fluttering over my hair, face, making sure I’m still in one piece.
My head hurts still; nausea and brief dizziness, a dear friend at this point.
“What's wrong? Are you alright? I think you should sit down.”
I don't argue as he leads me to my pile of pillows and blankets. “We erm—god, I have a headache coming on. We found another clue and Aya's secret.”
His head whips round to look over Cardinal's looming figure. “Guessing it was bad?”
I nod. “Bad. Turns out Corbin knew no bounds. I’m sure he wouldn't have left here with a fiancée after dropping that secret.”
“He wouldn't have left at all, I'd have killed him myself!” He snaps from over by the fireplace.
“Did he plan on burning ties with everyone? How did he expect things to go once the game was over?” Wren muses, not necessarily to anyone.
“Phin would have wanted nothing to do with him, the hotel would be done, no fiancée, no you.” He tenses a little on that last word.
“The idea of him upsetting or hurting you boils my blood.”
Rubbing at my temple, I look down at the envelope I’ve laid on my lap. “We don't know what my secret is.” I have no doubts that after exposing all of us, I'd have returned to wanting no contact from him. He'd died alone like he wanted in life, this weekend maybe a way to implode it all at once.
The way Wren dotes on me feels like second nature; I'm not sure he's even aware he's doing it as his eye contact never wavers, he collects both our coffees and pastries, placing them in front of me.
As I stare lost in thought at the clue, I can see his fingers practically twitching over my croissant like he'll lose the fight and feed me if I don't pick it up soon.
It would actually fuel my brain back into consciousness, so I ignore the burn from the coffee and take a bite to chew on whilst I will myself to figure this clue out.
I don't know how long we have before the other guests make it downstairs, but I think we need to hunt through the shelves until I can latch onto a possible answer. “We need to search in the books.” I say to them both, shoving more of the pastry into my mouth unapologetically. The coffee actually makes quick work of getting the headache at bay and I see Wren’s shoulders relax a little as he downs his own cup.
Watching Cardinal from the corner of my eye, I frown when he doesn’t touch his own coffee but instead shoves his hands in his pockets and sulks to the door.
“I’m going to go get the girls. I don’t know what’s taking them so fucking long.
” He’s gone without even looking back, the excuse tangible but what he really means is he wants to check on Willow.
“Great—thanks for the help looking, mate!” Wren shouts, throwing his hands up and turning to face the full wall of books and the scatters around the fireplace. “Any ideas where to start, Love?”
I rub a hand over the sensitive skin on my face and regret it instantly, my lip feeling so swollen from where I assume I bit them.
Turning over his question, I point to a section on the wall where there was a lot of classic literature.
I had wanted to spend hours here, checking out all the novels the guys had chosen.
Phin mentioned he’d included a bunch of musical scripts and even comic novels for younger guests if they were dragged here with parents.
“Try to find The Great Gatsby. It won’t hurt to go from there, seeing as it was the theme of the weekend.”