Chapter 35 #2
“What about his associate?” Jade asked, her mind whirring through all avenues.
“The man I overheard him meeting with. The opera led me to believe he wasn’t the assassin”—Jade flashed her eyes at Theo, subconsciously seeking support on the matter—“but he was involved with Lord Grannam in some way. Could he have turned on him? Paid off the assassin to take Grannam out? Maybe after a deal went badly.”
Matherson tapped a finger on the desk. “It’s a possibility, but not a likely one.
I imagine one man working for the Duke of Evenshold wouldn’t have much sway over another.
Lord Grannam was the one with the wealth and resources.
But we’ll do everything in our power to find this associate.
There have to be some records of their dealings.
If Grannam was behind it, perhaps he could lead us to the assassin. ”
Or it could be a dead end. If Grannam had never been the one ordering the killings, they might be right back where they started with no leads and no idea where to look next.
Jade sighed. How had she been so wrong? With the conversations she’d overheard between Grannam and his associate, the letters she’d found, even the poison he’d purchased—it had all pointed to him being the person behind the murders.
But she’d never known what he planned to do with the poison, nor what he had secretly discussed with his associate, nor what he and Arabella had argued about.
But it wasn’t just her own inclination. Nicolas had pointed her in Grannam’s direction. He believed Grannam was responsible as much as Jade did. They had both latched on to the same inaccurate assumption.
Theo and Matherson continued talking as Jade lost herself in her memories, filtering through everything she had learned about this conflict and the players involved. What had she missed? Something had to be there, something that could send them after the real killer.
The only other living contenders were Prince Reynauld, Lady Arabella, and Lord Marchand. Jade didn’t imagine that either Reynauld or Arabella were behind it, especially when the line was rightfully theirs, but it wasn’t impossible.
But Marchand . . . Jade recalled something Marguerite had said about Lord Marchand the last time she had visited Evenshold Palace.
Threats.
Lord Marchand sent them letters.
They would pay for it.
Jade broke through the conversation still happening between Matherson and Theo.
“Sir, if you remember, in the debrief from my last visit with Lady Marguerite, she mentioned she believed Lord Marchand was behind the murders. He had sent threats to both Lord Grannam and Lady Arabella at the start of the conflict.”
“Yes, and we disregarded that knowing that Marguerite was biased.” Matherson’s hand swatted through the air with a dismissive wave.
“She admitted to you that she was on her father’s side.
Of course she would attempt to put the blame on someone else.
Even if she didn’t know your true identity or your loyalties, she would never admit to her father’s culpability. ”
Jade scooted to the front edge of her seat and leaned forward, staring Matherson down.
“But what if she was telling the truth? She might have been on to something. Especially now that Grannam is dead. Someone killed him. Lord Marchand seems like a good place to start. I know his greenhouse was searched after we realized the killer was using rienevoir, but maybe we should take another look.”
Commander Matherson covered his mouth with a hand as his elbow rested on the desk, seeming to consider what Jade had said. Finally, he admitted, “It’s a lead, and we don’t have anything else right now.”
Taking a deep breath through her nose, Jade eased back and her shoulders relaxed. She could do this apart from Nicolas. She could right her wrongs.
“And about this informant of yours . . . ”
Jade’s blood turned to ice. Of course Matherson wouldn’t dismiss her from this meeting without learning all he could about Nicolas, and rightly so.
“Tell me what you know about him. You say he’s a supporter of the true line of succession.”
She coughed as she attempted a casual shrug. “That’s what he’s said. To be perfectly honest, Commander, I know little about him. He told me his name is Lord Nicolas Camarata and that he used to be the secret personal bodyguard of the king.”
Matherson’s eyes narrowed. “I know of no one in the king’s guard by that name.”
“He said he wasn’t military. He was a private hire by the king and worked as a secret bodyguard, but he was released from his position after the king fell ill.
The reason why he’s intent on seeing Reynauld take the throne is because he believes he failed the king and has an obligation to the true line of succession, even though he no longer holds the position. ”
The skepticism in Matherson’s eyes turned to confusion, his eyebrows nearly touching. “I’m not aware of any such position ever existing or of a private bodyguard being dismissed from the king’s service. Redman, you were in the castle for a time. Did you ever come across him?”
Theo met Jade’s eyes before answering. “No, sir. I wasn’t aware of him either.”
“And where did you say you met with him?” Matherson asked Jade, his features still heavy with suspicion. “One of the old, abandoned farmhouses?”
“Yes. A Brithswaitian farmhouse not far from here that was hit by the raiders. Then we go down these tunnels to an underground bunker that had been built as protection against the raiders.”
“I’d like you to direct me and a small contingent to this farmhouse, Captain Ni’ihm. I want to meet this Lord Camarata and learn more about what he’s been doing.”
“Oh, well, Commander, I don’t think . . .
” Jade bit her lip. Why did she want to keep Matherson away from the farmhouse?
If Nicolas was being truthful, he shouldn’t have a problem meeting with Matherson.
But then again, he had ordered Jade to bypass Commander Matherson and bring any information to him.
Based on what he’d told her, he must have had a significant falling out with the military, considering they removed him from his position without good reason.
It made sense that he didn’t want to be involved with them.
“Yes, Ni’ihm?”
“Forgive me if I’m out of line, but I believe an investigation on Lord Marchand is more urgent at the moment.
” Jade would lead the military to Nicolas, in due time.
This conflict wasn’t over, and if he had any other pertinent information to give, she didn’t want to miss out on it.
“If the assassin is poised to take out Lady Arabella or Prince Reynauld, there is no time to waste. We can go to Nicolas after the assassin and Lord Marchand are in custody.”
Matherson’s jaw worked as he considered, grinding his teeth slowly back and forth. “We’ll make arrangements to go to this farmhouse as soon as we gather evidence against Marchand.”
Jade nodded, grateful her commander was still willing to even remotely entertain her suggestions given his newfound lack of trust in her.
Matherson adjusted in his chair, reaching for the telephone on his desk and pulling it closer to him. “I’m going to make some calls and see what we know about his movements. Don’t go far. I’ll summon you back here as soon as we have a plan for you.”
Commander Matherson dismissed the captains, and they left Command headed for the dining hall. The hollow in Jade’s stomach roared after not eating for so long, and the lack of food was making it harder for her to think.
“You really think it could be Marchand?” Theo asked in little more than a whisper as they walked across base under the unforgiving sun. “Could the letter from Arthur to Arabella be about him?”
Jade sighed. “I don’t know.” She stopped and faced Theo, who mirrored her. “I need to get that letter to Arabella. She might understand what Arthur was talking about.”
Theo nodded, understanding. “I can try to go to Lesseine soon and deliver it for you.”
Jade angled her body and nudged her elbow into Theo’s stomach before starting for the dining hall again. “Thanks. It’ll have to wait, though. Marchand is first.”
“I have to say,” Theo began, cutting a humorous sideways glance at Jade, “it’ll be nice to run lead on a mission with you again.”
Jade feigned a scoff, then she gave him a soft smile. “I’m actually inclined to agree with you. I need a break from having all the pressure on my shoulders. I think trying to reach the expectations I’ve set for myself is getting to me.”
A hand snuck out from Theo’s side as they walked, his fingers intertwining with hers. “Don’t worry; I’ll take however much of the load you want to put on me. Just stick with me, Gem.”
With a low chuckle, Jade faced Theo, staring up into his surprisingly sincere eyes. They didn’t shine with the usual mirth, no hint of a joke hidden under the surface.
“Not Jimmy, huh?”
Theo stopped again, pulling her closer to him with their joined hands and catching her mouth with a quick, tender kiss. When he broke away, Jade was met with an intense sparkling blue gaze. “Not Jimmy.”