Page 44 of The Thief
“I will definitely let her know, My Lady, and get your missive sent out. It is also a pleasure to help you.”
She curtsied once more and left the room, leaving Scarlett alone once again.
Frustrated, Alastair walked absentmindedly through the guest wing, his search of Scarlett’s guest room turning up no evidence of the person who Alastair was sure was poisoning Scarlett. He was dragged from his thoughts by the sound of an argument, watching as the maid named Liza stormed out of one of the bedrooms, her hair and clothes disheveled. She went white when she saw him and turned when she heard someone exiting the room she had just come out of.
Alastair watched as Edward Holmes walked out of the bedroom, also in a disheveled state.
So, it was not a regular argument he walked in on, but a lover’s quarrel.
Alastair cleared his throat and they both turned to look at him.
“Tidy up and go about your business. You must be more careful as the next person to find you might not be so discreet.”
“Yes, My Lord,” they both replied, rushing off in the direction of the servants’ stairs.
Alastair continued his slow progression down the hall and when he reached the end of it, he turned around to head back. He was halfway down the hallway when he saw a piece of paper on the ground, curious to see what was on it. He picked up the paper and unfolded it, his blood running cold.
He recognized the paper as the one he’d found in the book in his office, and that meant the poisoner was still in the castle. He rushed back downstairs to the study and quickly drew up messages for all the hospitals to check their stock of the medicine written on the paper: Tapoxon.
In his hurry, he had not even realized where he found the paper.
Two hours later, he received an answer from one of the smaller hospitals on the island, letting him know that they had a break in months ago and Tapoxon had been one of the medicines stolen.
The others had been found, but that was the one that had never been recovered.
Alastair swore loudly and slammed his hand down on the desk.
Scarlett was being poisoned by Tapoxon.
There was very little antidote on the island and the hospital had sent all of the antidote they had to help Scarlett.
He stalked to the door and yanked it open, calling for Bard.
Striding back to the desk he re-read the letter he received from Elfyre Memorial Hospital.
The head of the hospital had also told Alastair that they had hired a new orderly a week before the medicine had disappeared and he had not been seen since. They were almost certain he was behind the theft.
He had used the name George Hames and he was tall and had dark hair and dark eyes.
He sent his regrets that they had not caught him and wished Alastair luck on finding him and making Scarlett well again.
Bard walked in the room and immediately noticed him upset.
“What is it, My Lord?” he asked, walking briskly to the desk.
“Please shut the door, Bard,” Alastair said.
Bard walked back over to the door and shut it, coming back to stand in front of the desk.
“Is Lady Scarlett all right, sir?” he asked, a look of concern coming over his face.
Alastair growled in frustration.
“I hope she will be. We need to get this antidote to her as soon as possible.”
He held up a small vial of medicine.
“Do you know what made her so sick?” Bard asked.
