Page 59 of Esperance

“I don’t know. But she has . . . surprised me.” That was the most succinct way of putting it.

Ford lifted one eyebrow. “There’s a story there.”

Several, actually. But he redirected Ford’s attention to where it needed to be. “One of the brides was murdered three days ago.”

Ford blinked. Then his eyes narrowed. “Who?”

“Cora, of Hafsin.” He relayed the details, and Ford listened raptly.

When he finished, Ford shook his head. “The message that was left behind . . .Retribution has come for you;that’s got to be from the rebels.”

“Most likely,” Carver agreed. “But I don’t want to blind myself to other possibilities.”

“Do you have other theories, then?”

“Cora could have been a rebel. She might have done something her contact didn’t like, and that note could be a warning for other rebels.”

Ford leaned back in his chair. “From your father’s description of Cora, she was young and timid—even nervous. Would she really make a good rebel?”

“No,” Carver admitted. “Which could be another reason why they killed her. Or they killed her because they didn’t like the way her brother attacked the emperor. It could have been a punishment for his actions.”

“Why would the rebels be upset about an assassination attempt?”

“Maybe if it upset a larger plan.” He went on to explain the message Jayveh had received from the rebels.

Ford’s brow furrowed. “They basically gave her a year to memorize the strongholds of Craethen, which means they’re playing a longer game.”

“Unless they suspect she’s playing double agent, and they want to throw us off.”

“True. But if we assume they believe she’s loyal to the Rising, and if we also assume they have multiple contacts and they all have different jobs, then it’s very possible no one has the full plan.”

“Except for the person writing the messages.”

Ford tipped his head in agreement. “You should collect samples of handwriting.”

“That’s a good idea.” Since no one would be writing letters, he might need to ask Argent to influence either Trevill or the high cleric into creating some exercise for the couples that required writing.

Then again, the lead rebel in Esperance could be a cleric, guard, or servant, and they couldn’t very well collect every person’s handwriting. Hundreds of staff lived at Esperance, and any of them could be involved.

“If the rebels are playing a long game,” Ford said, cutting into Carver’s thoughts, “then it’s possible they aren’t planning anything violent in Esperance at all. Which would mean someone else might have killed Cora. She was married to Ivan, right? We both know Sibeten Wolves are a little crazy. He could have killed her.”

“I’m not sure what he’d gain from her death.” And Ivan had been angry about her murder. That could be an act, of course. Carverhadfound him at the base of the stairs; he could have just come from killing Cora. The sitting room she’d been found in was just down the hall.

“Any other crazy happenings I should know about?” Ford asked.

“Not really.” Except maybe the fact he’d broken Rivard’s nose, but there was no need to mention that. “Get this report sent off to my father and ask him to investigate Cora. I want to know if her family has any secrets, or if there’s any history between her family and Ivan’s—or any of the others here at Esperance.”

“Anything else?”

Carver hesitated only briefly before he said, “Ask him to learn what he can of Amryn’s parents and how they died.”

Ford eyed him. “You can’t just ask her?”

“She’s private, and I don’t want to pry. But I want to know if their deaths were in any way associated with the empire.”

Concern pinched Ford’s face. “You’re really worried she’s a rebel, aren’t you?”

“I can’t afford to take any chances.” His head tipped to the side. “I assume you haven’t heard anything from my father since he left?”

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