Page 40 of Ashes and Lilies
Dr. Stephens looked offended, but before he responded, Damen cut in. “Gregory is Bryce and Brayden’s great uncle. As I’ve stated, he’s also one of the Elder Officers. He’s an Er Bashou. Caleb Weaver was also a Proxy. He’s an Elder Tongjun.”
Damen rested his weight on his forearms and studied me as he added, “Gregory also used to be a member of the Council. However, he retired. Now, he works solely with us.”
“Ah…” I touched my fingers together and nodded. The fabled Council. And he was one of my peons. Now, I would have insider information.
Perfect.
“What are you telling her?” Dr. Stephens asked as his eyes narrowed on Damen. “You’re acting like she’s being initiated into your inner circle.”
I studied him. He was stern and would not be easily swayed.
Damen chuckled, his focus still locked on to me. “You have no idea.”
“Don’t talk in riddles,” Dr. Stephens snapped. Then he frowned at me. “And why is she looking at me like that?”
I looked away, searching for a distraction. It wouldn’t do to make him afraid. Besides, Damen had brought me to the food, and I had to take advantage of the opportunity.
Our menus lay untouched in the space between Dr. Stephens and Damen. I tentatively pulled one toward me. Neither man noticed, and I proceeded to peruse the selections while they spoke.
I vaguely paid attention as my focus was split between my two equally important tasks. But it was enough.
“We, unofficially, have two cases now.” Damen had moved to business. “It is clear that the incidents at Aine Hamway’s house and Caleb’s murder are connected.” He leaned back, crossing his legs. At the same moment, he swung his arm over the back of my seat.
I could feel his weight pressing against my shoulders. But I was too focused on reading to be embarrassed. Besides, it was chilly in here. Damen was a rather nice human furnace.
That made sense, considering.
However, why did it seem that he was watching me again?
“Yes, I know,” Dr. Stephens said as he tapped his finger on the table. “I’m certain that Michelle Nolan was involved, but she doesn’t appear to have any connections or motive.”
The woman who found Mr. Weaver’s body?
“Michelle is a sweetheart,” Mr. Weaver interjected, looking affronted. “You don’t know her. She wouldn’t help a murderer.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I glanced at Mr. Weaver.
“Excuse me?” he icily questioned.
“Um…” My face flushed as I touched the menu to my nose. “I-I mean, you… you said she was frail.” He’d been very clear about this. “I’m assuming that means she’s smaller than you. How could she have cut your body from the loft and moved it alone? You’re tall and would weigh more than a typical woman can lift. Besides…” I looked away. “If—if she had medical training, she should know better than to move you.”
Mr. Weaver frowned harder.
“At—at least, that’s what I think,” I whispered. Why was he looking at me like every word out of my mouth was a personal offense? Didn’t he have any other expressions? Yet, I couldn’t shut up. “You said she knew where the key was, and she’d been there before. Couldn’t she have helped someone poison the pork when you weren’t home, waited for you to die, and set everything up to make it look like you killed yourself?”
He frowned—and I thought he’d be upset—before he said, “Well, she did have access to my house.”
Great. Did that mean I could order my food now?
I glanced around the table, noting that Dr. Stephens had three untouched cups of coffee in front of him. Well, that made no sense; obviously, one was for me. I set my menu aside, put my fingertips on the saucer nearest to me, and pulled the little cup closer. Cream and sugar were already available on the table.
I touched my tongue to my upper lip as I helped myself. A lot of milk and four tablespoons of sugar. So delicious.
“So, what do you think her motive would be?” Dr. Stephens asked. I looked up from my coffee creation and noted that he was watching me in a way that made me squirm.
What? Was I supposed to do his job for him now too?
“I’m not entirely sure,” I answered. “It probably wasn’t her idea at all.”
