A Hanging at Lotus Hall by Corrina Lawson

Author:Corrina Lawson [Lawson, Corrina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Corrina Lawson

Chapter 11

“Gregor, I sympathize with your need for the dramatic, since it’s as similar to my own, but you must explain that one,” Nick said.

“Cooper knew his killer,” Joan answered instead. “Otherwise, Cooper would have been on guard and fought back.”

Gregor nodded. “Yes, such a bolt of magical force probably came from a hand placed over his heart.”

“And to get close enough to him to do that without a struggle, the murderer had to be someone known to him and someone not perceived as a threat,” Joan said. “That narrows the possibilities of the rogue mage further.”

“Maybe,” Moriarty said. “Cooper knew many mages, as did I, from our work with students and with the Metaphysical Society. He’d perceive no threat from any of them.” He stared at the duke. “But it was your cravat found on the body, Your Grace. I don’t see how, given we were together, but that does not look good.”

“An obvious attempt to throw suspicion on him,” Joan said.

“Yes,” Nick and Jared said in one breath.

“Quite,” Gregor said. “It goes along with making the death look like a hanging. You should alert the authorities now, Jared. How well do you know them? Are they the type to jump to erroneous conclusions, like much of Scotland Yard, or will they have the patience to investigate before deciding on the wrong answer?”

The duke shook his head. “And people call me arrogant.” He straightened his shoulders. “We have dealt with them satisfactorily over minor issues but never a murder.”

“Ah,” Gregor said. “In that case, Nick, you should go fetch them. You put people at ease, and you are the one who first touched the body.”

Nick looked at his elder brother for permission. The duke nodded and mock-bowed to his youngest brother. “As you wish, Greg.”

Whatever the circumstances, Joan doubted Nick would ever stop his habit of needling his brothers.

“Your Grace, you should wait here with Mr. Moriarty, to protect the crime scene.” A pause. “You pair also have the power to withstand the killer, should they return to the scene, though I admit that scenario is unlikely.”

“Sensible,” Moriarty said.

“And, what, pray tell, are you going to do while I am cooling my heels, Mr. Consulting Detective?” the duke asked.

“Investigate, of course. Come, Miss Krieger, the game’s afoot.”

And Gregor Sherringford strode out of the room, with her in his wake.

She hid a smile, as he’d once again made a dramatic exit. Some habits were impossible to break, whatever the circumstances.

At the end of the hallway, they descended another set of richly carpeted steps, to the floor below where Cooper had died. She could only imagine the work the servants did to keep the carpets clean. No wonder they woke at dawn to begin.

The brass banisters gleamed in her mage light, showing that someone polished them regularly.

She glanced around and saw no one. Good.

“Your brothers lack proper alibis,” she said in a low tone.

“True. As does Moriarty himself.”

“Also true. He left Jared’s office for a time, and Jared himself was not there all evening.

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